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Colleges With The Lowest Return On Investment: Payscale Report

Colleges With The Lowest Return On Investment
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North Carolina's Shaw University is the higher education institution least worth its cost, according to Payscale's annual survey of college return on investment rates.

The private college only boasts an annual return on investment of 4.5 percent. Others at the bottom of the list include the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Davenport University.

To compile their list, Payscale evaluated the financial situations of alumni from nearly 700 postsecondary institutions nationwide. Schools were ranked in terms of 30-year overall return on investment and annual return on investment to graduates, with and without financial aid.

BusinessWeek reports that alum may not see returns on their education for a long time -- 15 years after graduation, some still experience negative returns.

Below, check out 15 schools that might not be worth their overall cost. Public schools are evaluated according to out-of-state tuition, unless otherwise noted. Payscale has the full list, plus more on methodology.

Is your school on the list? Should it be? Let us know in the comments section.

Colleges With The Lowest Return On Investment: Payscale Report
Shaw University(01 of15)
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2010 four-year cost: $98,240 30-year net return on investment: $15,480Annual return on investment: 4.5% (credit:Flickr:Kevin Coles)
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (02 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $110,700 30-year net return on investment: $22,500Annual return on investment: 4.6%In-state (number 7) 2010 cost: $66,49030-year net return on investment: $37,540Annual return on investment: 5.6% (credit:AP)
Davenport University (03 of15)
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2010 cost: $113,60030-year net return on investment: $27,790Annual return on investment: 4.8%
Chicago State University (04 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $130,70030-year net return on investment: $34,860Annual return on investment: 4.8%In-state (number 9)2010 cost: $100,50030-year net return on investment: $39,080Annual return on investment: 5.1% (credit:Flickr:vinzcha)
University of Arkansas, Little Rock (05 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $127,20030-year net return on investment: $35,890Annual return on investment: 4.9%In-state: (number 11)2010 cost: $92,31030-year net return on investment: $41,820Annual return on investment: 5.3% (credit:AP)
Fayetteville State University(06 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $107,00030-year net return on investment: $36,140Annual return on investment: 5%In-state (number 20)2010 cost: $58,83030-year net return on investment: $51,570Annual return on investment: 6.2% (credit:AP)
Jackson State University (07 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $111,90030-year net return on investment: $39,020Annual return on investment: 5%In-state (number 22) 2010 cost: $81,77030-year net return on investment: $53,170Annual return on investment: 5.8%
Cameron University (08 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $98,83030-year net return on investment: $39,650Annual return on investment: 5.2%In-state (number 13) 2010 cost: $72,76030-year net return on investment: $44,350Annual return on investment: 5.7%
Grambling State University (09 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $92,41030-year net return on investment: $42,720Annual return on investment: 5.3%In-state (number 17) 2010 cost: $67,34030-year net return on investment: $50,240Annual return on investment: 6% (credit:AP)
Texas Southern University (10 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $125,40030-year net return on investment: $44,620Annual return on investment: 5.1%In-state (number 16) 2010 cost: $84,00030-year net return on investment: $49,180Annual return on investment: 5.6% (credit:AP)
Northeastern State University(11 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $83,54030-year net return on investment: $48,960Annual return on investment: 5.6%
Norfolk State University (12 of15)
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Out-of-state2010 cost: $132,90030-year net return on investment: $51,020Annual return on investment: 5.1% (credit:Flickr:Kevin Coles)
Lee University(13 of15)
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2010 cost: $89,68030-year net return on investment: $51,100Annual return on investment: 5.6%
Black Hills State University(14 of15)
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Out-of-state 2010 cost: $81,76030-year net return on investment: $52,400Annual return on investment: 5.7% (credit:Flickr:vastateparksstaff)
Morehead State University (15 of15)
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Out-of-state 2010 cost: $102,50030-year net return on investment: $53,780Annual return on investment: 5.5%

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