Answer first: At defaults ($30k @ 6.5% APR / 10 yrs), illustrative loan repayment is about $40,877. Performing Arts lifetime earnings upside vs HS-only (~$46.7k BLS baseline, 1.3% real growth) is about $497,086 undiscounted over 44 years — net ~$456,209 (ratio ~12.2×). Edit inputs live. Not a personal quote.
~15–25 min assessment · free top 3 · optional $29 Pathfinder · Find YOUR fit
Early career$59,000
Mid-career$82,000
HS baseline$46,700BLS ~$899/wk
Your inputs (defaults — edit live)
Loan cost
—
—
Lifetime upside
—
—
Net benefit
—
—
Monthly payment—
Total interest—
Degree lifetime—
HS counterfactual—
Upside / loan—
Horizon—
How the math works
Loan cost (total repayment): standard amortizing loan — monthly payment × months = total paid; interest = total − principal.
Lifetime earnings with degree (illustrative): linear ramp from early-career to mid-career wage over the first 15 years after graduation, then mid-career wage with gentle 0.5% real growth for remaining career years. Default view is undiscounted illustrative lifetime; optional PV at 6% real.
Counterfactual HS-only: $46,700 baseline × (years in school + career years) with 1.3% real/year growth (same spirit as our NPV analysis). Labeled and consistent across majors.
Upside: degree lifetime earnings − HS counterfactual over the same horizon (includes school years; degree side uses optional part-time earnings during school, default $0).
Net loan-to-upside: Upside − total loan repayment. Ratio = Upside ÷ Loan cost.
Wages come only from our Major Earnings Continuum data.json (early/mid). Replace loan defaults with your net price / aid package. Not a personalized quote.
FAQ
What does this show for Performing Arts?
Illustrative total loan repayment versus the earnings upside of this major vs a HS-only path, using Continuum early/mid wages ($59,000 → $82,000).
Where does $46,700 come from?
BLS Education Pays median weekly earnings for high-school-only workers (~$899 ≈ $46,700/year). See our opportunity-cost PV article.
Is this a loan quote?
No. Defaults are labeled illustrations. Replace principal with your net price / aid package.
How do I get a fit recommendation?
Free MajorMatch assessment → top 3 free; optional Pathfinder full report $29.