How Much Does College Really Cost?

The Real Price Tag of College

Everyone knows college is expensive, but few realize the full financial impact.

The average student at a university now takes 5.7 years to earn a bachelor’s degree, spending $176,000 in the process. At private universities, that number jumps to $218,000.

But tuition isn’t the only cost—those extra years in school mean missing out on earnings:

• If an entry-level worker earns $20 per hour full-time, they make $41,600 per year.
• Over 5.7 years, that adds up to $237,120 in lost wages.
• Combined with tuition, the total financial cost of a degree rises to $405,600.

The Opportunity Cost of Staying in School Too Long

Time is just as valuable as money. Malcolm Gladwell, in Outliers, argues that early career experience creates a long-term advantage. The sooner you start working in your field, the faster you build skills, earn promotions, and increase your income.

Consider two students:

• John follows the traditional path—he takes 5.7 years to graduate and enters the workforce at 24.
• Sarah uses Eclipse to complete her degree years earlier. She graduates at 20—almost four years earlier than John—and starts working right away.

By the time John enters the workforce, Sarah already has four years of career experience. She’s earning $70,000+ per year, has likely received a promotion, and is on track to make over $200,000 more than John by age 30—just by starting earlier.

The Changing Value of a Degree

A degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to success:

• 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, meaning they work jobs that don’t require a degree [1].
• The financial return on college varies wildly—STEM fields often justify the cost, but many liberal arts degrees don’t.
• Alternative pathways, accelerated programs, and online education allow students to earn their degrees faster and avoid unnecessary debt.

The Takeaway

A college degree can still be a good investment—but only if you minimize wasted time and cost.

Before enrolling, ask yourself:

• Can I complete my degree faster and start working sooner?
• Are there more efficient options like Eclipse?
• What’s the real cost of delaying my career by extra years?

With programs like Eclipse, students can graduate years earlier, cut tuition costs, and start earning sooner—avoiding the financial trap of staying in school too long.

Sources:

[1] Strada Institute for the Future of Work and Burning Glass Institute,

More Than Half of Recent 4-Year College Grads Underemployed

.

[2] National Center for Education Statistics,

The Average Student Takes Six Years to Earn a Four-Year Degree

.

[3] College Board,

Trends in College Pricing 2022

‍