Data Analytics: Helping Parents and Students Make Smarter Decisions

Data analytics is everywhere these days—companies use it to boost employee retention, predict trends, and improve processes. So why not use it to help families make smarter decisions about education and career paths?

Let’s say you’re talking to a high school student and ask them, “What do you want to do in life?” More often than not, the answer will be “I don’t know.” And that’s fine—until it’s time to apply for colleges, and suddenly, big decisions need to be made:

• Public vs. private school?
• In-state vs. out-of-state?
• Loans, scholarships, or both?

Counselors do a great job helping students navigate these choices, but one critical factor is often overlooked: Return on Investment (ROI).

Why ROI Matters

Imagine having the data to compare the cost of college with the earning potential of different degrees. Not just in general terms, but for specific career paths, salaries, and even regional cost-of-living differences. This isn’t just about choosing a school—it’s about planning a future.

At Career Unleashed, we’ve been working on this kind of analysis, and here’s what we found:

For some degrees, the ROI is fantastic—you can pay off your loans in 5 years or less. For others, you might still be paying off those loans 15 years down the line because the salary just doesn’t match the cost of the education.

Breaking It Down: Public vs. Private in Texas

Example 1: Public University (Random e.g., University of Houston)

• Annual Cost: $25,790.40
• Total Base Cost (4 years): $103,161.60
• Monthly Loan Payment: $1,172.95 (10 years, 7% interest)
• Total Cost with Loan: $140,754.53

Example 2: Private University (Random e.g., Rice University)

• Annual Cost: $46,494.00
• Total Base Cost (4 years): $185,976.00
• Monthly Loan Payment: $2,114.56 (10 years, 7% interest)
• Total Cost with Loan: $253,747.17

Career Progression Example: Clinical Psychologist in Houston (BLS Data)

• Entry-Level Salary: $59,549.75
• Mid-Career Salary: $99,423.22
• Late-Career Salary: $154,935.43

Now, here’s where the magic happens: When you calculate ROI, you start to see which paths make financial sense and which ones could leave you struggling with debt for years.

What the Data Tells Us

With data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salary databases, cost-of-living indexes, and more, we can analyze:

• Which degrees and career paths offer a good ROI?
• How long will it take to repay loans based on regional salaries?
• What’s the earning potential for different stages of a career?

For example, a psychology graduate might face a longer loan repayment timeline compared to a computer science graduate, even if they both attend the same school. Why? Because salary progression is vastly different between those fields.

What’s Next?

We’re creating a downloadable ROI Guide that breaks down these insights for parents and students. Think of it as a roadmap to understanding not just the cost of college, but the potential it holds for your future.

We’ll cover things like:

• Job placement rates: How quickly can graduates land a job in their field?
• Regional salary differences: How much does location impact earnings?
• Loan repayment strategies: What’s realistic based on career progression?

Would this kind of data be helpful for you or someone you know? What other insights would you like to see? Let us know—we’re building this to make a real difference.

With the right data and a little planning, we can help families make decisions that lead to brighter, more secure futures. Because when it comes to investing in education, knowledge truly is power.