Independent Research Presentation

Shushanth Gunukula, Pd 1

Research Question

What are the Financial Benefits of an

Advanced Education: Using
Modeling to Predict the Cost, Return,
and Value of a College Education

Since 1978, college tuition has

increased by a whopping 1,120%.
During the same period, the price
of food has increased 244% and
medical expenses 601%. ~ USA
Today
3

Questions

How is financial aid distributed?

How does mid-career salary vary
between different degrees of
education?
What are the financial benefits of not
going to college?
Should everyone attend college?

My Adviser

Chichun Fang - Research Scientist at the University of Michigan

Obtained Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois
Research focuses on the economic well-being of the working
population.

Sources

Research and Knowledge

Gained

What is financial aid?

Duke Financial Aid

High School Education

High school is all about preparing you for the real world.
When you wonder if you will ever use the material you
learn in your classes, think about the skills that you are
learning not just the subject matter. Your listening, notetaking, and information processing skills will help you in
so many ways when you go to college or start working on
your career. Not only that, high school gives you a chance
to grow up mentally, emotionally and physically.

College Education Benefits

The benefits of having a college
education are manifold and range
from financial to cultural. From
common benefits to some
unexpected surprises, below you
will find a number of reasons
which will help to serve as
justification for a higher
education.

Research and Knowledge

Gained

What are life-time earnings?

Purpose and Importance

Where does the research go from here?

- Model all financial factors to determine
the cost, return, and value
- Research the pros of cons of higher
education
Application to the Real World
- Help decide whether or not to pursue
higher education