Faculty Advisor
Becker, Lee A.
Faculty Advisor
Hamel, Glynis M.
Abstract
This IQP sought to explore the validity of the educators' claim that a four-year college education will bring a person more lifetime cumulative earnings than going to work in the software industry immediately after high school. After reviewing opinions of lifetime cumulative earnings and identifying inadequacies in the formulas used to calculate such results, we designed a better lifetime cumulative earnings formula. To apply this formula, we collected data on annual income for employees in the software industry, student earnings during college, student indebtedness upon graduation, family contribution to college costs and earning investment return rate. We found that only if college graduates aggressively invest their additional income will their lifetime cumulative earnings exceed those of high school graduates.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
January 2002
Project Type
Interactive Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
Access to this report is limited to members of the WPI community. Please contact a project advisor or their department to request access
Accessibility
Restricted-WPI community only
Advisor Department
Computer Science