Avg Finish question for "Higher" STEPs

[Apathy]

Hi I have a question about how much it would cost you to work you way up the STEP ladder on the party higher steps starting at step 1.

Assumptions:

-Everyone plays exactly equal and everyone has an equal finsh distrubution for every level.

-All tiny cash prizes will be ignored to make it easier.

- You have an infinite bankroll and play an infinite # of tourneys, starting at step 1 and then playing until you either bust OUT, or make it to step 5.

The question is how much on average will it cost to get there. Step 5 is 15,000+500 to enter so obviously the answer will be much higher then 15,500, but how much higher?


Here is a discrption of the structure for the STEPs:


STEP 1: 30+3
1st - FR (Freeroll) STEP 2
2nd-6th - FR STEP 1
7-10 - OUT

STEP 2: 100+10
1st - FR STEP 3
2nd-4th - FR STEP 2
5-7th - FR STEP 1
8-10 OUT

STEP 3 500+50
1st- FR STEP 4
2nd-3rd FR STEP 3
4-8 - FR STEP 2
9 - FR STEP 1

STEP 4 - 3000+300

1st- FR STEP 5
2-5 FR STEP 4
6-7 FR STEP 3
8- FR STEP 2

STEP 5 - $15000+500


Thank you for your time and if I am missing any details or anything let me know.

I think this can be solved with a simple program or excel sheet but I'm not great with that stuff so hopefully someone can help me out!

Thanks again.