Quick overview
This calculator compares two career-education routes — a traditional college (with tuition and opportunity cost) versus a paid apprenticeship (stipend + journeyman wage) — and produces a 10-year NPV for each path so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison. Enter your assumptions below and click Calculate.
College 10-yr NPV
$0
Apprenticeship 10-yr NPV
$0
NPV Difference
$0
Recommendation
—
Inputs — set your assumptions
Total tuition (all years). If you prefer per-year, multiply by years.
What you could have earned instead (part-time or entry-level wage). Opportunity cost.
Income while in training (may be taxable). Positive cashflow during training years.
Used to discount future earnings to present value (NPV).
All results are estimates; use as a decision aid, not financial advice.
10-Year Summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| College 10-yr NPV | $0 |
| Apprenticeship 10-yr NPV | $0 |
| NPV Difference (Apprenticeship − College) | $0 |
| Recommendation | — |
Year-by-Year Cashflows (nominal)
| Year | College cashflow | Apprenticeship cashflow | Discount factor | College PV | Apprentice PV |
|---|
Positive cashflows are income (stipend, wages). Negative cashflows are costs (tuition, forgone earnings).
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Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates only. Real outcomes depend on taxes, benefits, local labor markets, credential value, and personal circumstances. Consult a career counselor, accountant, or financial advisor for personalized advice.