Retraining ROI Calculator
Is that bootcamp actually worth it? Enter your numbers below to find out the real return on investment — including opportunity cost most programs never mention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is opportunity cost calculated?
Opportunity cost is the income you forgo while you are studying and job searching. The calculator multiplies your current monthly salary by the combined training + job-search months, then adjusts if you plan to work during that period.
Why compare to the S&P 500?
Any money you spend on a program has an alternative use. The S&P 500 has historically returned around 10% per year. If your retraining ROI over 10 years is lower than that, the investment may not make financial sense on its own — though career satisfaction has real value too.
What is a good ROI for a retraining program?
A 5-year ROI above 200% is excellent. 100–200% is good. Below 50% over 5 years suggests you should look for cheaper or faster alternatives before committing.
What if I am already unemployed?
Set your current salary to $0. That removes opportunity cost from the equation and shows the pure program cost vs. salary gain calculation.