<p>20</a> Colleges with the Worst Return on Investment (photos) - The Daily Beast</p>
<p>Assuming if you are there for six years, you are paying full price.
Ouch.</p>
<p>Pretty sure that the 6 year number is what is required under federal law.</p>
<p>All it means is of the cohort that entered 6 years prior, how many have completed their degree at that institution. I believe if someone transfers then they aren’t counted in the numerator.</p>
<p>Six years tends to capture nearly all of the students who eventually graduate. Remember that four year graduation rates are not very high except at the most selective colleges – many entering frosh are unable to handle full course loads, need remedial courses, or need to repeat failed courses, delaying graduation. In addition, many students take semesters off for whatever reason (perhaps a formalized co-op job, or just working to earn money for the next semester), which delays graduation when counting calendar years, although it does not cost extra in school costs.</p>
<p>Looks like the “worst ROI” is based on pay levels from Payscale or some such. It is probably more of an indicator of the mix of majors found at the schools than anything else (high ROIs in Payscale listings can be found at places like Harvey Mudd, PINYU, SD Mines, Stevens Tech, etc. that are heavy with engineering and CS majors).</p>
<p>The worst ROI? Ask people who started college and left WITHOUT any marketable skills.</p>