Less than you think. Exclusive new research suggests most students would be better off never setting foot in a classroom

• College: Big Investment, Paltry Return

  The value of a college degree is a middle-class article of faith. But exclusive new research suggests it may be far less than previously thought

• Slide Show: Top Schools By State

  Which school in your state delivers the best return on investment? Check out our exclusive ranking. You may be surprised

• Slide Show: Best Bargain Colleges

  Few people would call college a bargain, but these schools fit the bill, with below-average costs and above-average return on investment

• Slide Show: 20 Colleges With High Tuition, Low ROI

  Looking to maximize your educational investment? These pricey schools may have many virtues, but return on investment isn't one of them

• Table: The Complete Ranking

  For students and their parents, it's an important question and one that has been devilishly difficult to answeruntil now. PayScale, which collects pay information from individuals using its online pay comparison tools, dug into its trove of 1.4 million

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