Question

Present values Suppose going to college costs 20,000 a year. The average earnings of a highschool graduate are 20,000 a year. By going to college, suppose one can expect to earn 50,000 a year. Set up the expressions for the present value of benefits and costs, and the net present value of a college education if the interest rate is 10%.How does this change if the interest rate is 15%

Answer 1

Annual benefit from college education (Increase in earnings) = $50,000 - $20,000 = $30,000

Assuming 4 years of college study period

The net present value of a college education if the interest rate is 10% is as follows:

Net present value = PV of benefits - PV of costs

Net present value = Annual benefit*P/A(10%,4) - Annual costs of attending college*P/A(10%,4)

Net present value = 30,000 * P/A(10%,4) - 20,000 * P/A(10%,4)

Net present value = (30,000 - 20,000) * P/A(10%,4)

Net present value = 10,000 * P/A(10%,4)

Net present value = 10,000 * 3.1699

Net present value = $31,699

How does this change if the interest rate is 15%?

Net present value = 30,000 * P/A(15%,4) - 20,000 * P/A(15%,4)

Net present value = (30,000 - 20,000) * P/A(15%,4)

Net present value = 10,000 * 2.855

Net present value = $28,550