Charlottesville, VA · Private University
Is University of Virginia Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$86,863
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$20,986
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$58,014
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$232,056
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.50x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
95.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,881
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn $41,863 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Virginia-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
227 graduates
38 graduates
74 graduates
17 graduates
27 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Virginia-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Virginia-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $136,620) and the lowest (Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services: $34,533) is $102,087/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $136,620 | 2.4x |
| Computer Engineering | $135,287 | 2.3x |
| Systems Engineering | $113,099 | 1.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $103,662 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $99,961 | 1.7x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $94,301 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,745 | 1.6x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $93,565 | 1.6x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $93,485 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,778 | 1.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $84,135 | 1.4x |
| Statistics | $84,065 | 1.4x |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | $81,373 | 1.4x |
| Economics | $80,369 | 1.4x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $78,563 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $78,439 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,437 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $68,510 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $67,976 | 1.2x |
| Chemistry | $61,344 | 1.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $61,339 | 1.1x |
| Architecture | $60,466 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $60,347 | 1.0x |
| Area Studies | $59,351 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $58,575 | 1.0x |
| History | $58,287 | 1.0x |
| Cognitive Science | $56,408 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $56,011 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $55,460 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $54,107 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $51,421 | 0.9x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $50,482 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,457 | 0.8x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $46,611 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $44,659 | 0.8x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $42,197 | 0.7x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $34,533 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 1.50x | $86,863 | Average ROI |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 1.44x | $83,648 | Average ROI |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1.84x | $72,200 | Good ROI |
| William & Mary | 1.49x | $73,490 | Average ROI |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 3.13x | $102,772 | Strong ROI |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 2.06x | $82,860 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Virginia-Main Campus delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $86,863 10 years after starting — $41,863 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.