Richmond, VA · Private University
Is Virginia Commonwealth University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,128
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,458
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,042
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$156,168
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.49x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,452
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Virginia Commonwealth University graduates earn $13,128 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 Virginia Commonwealth University ranked by graduate earnings
95 graduates
33 graduates
41 graduates
37 graduates
132 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Virginia Commonwealth University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Virginia Commonwealth University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $96,632) and the lowest (Dance: $20,397) is $76,235/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $96,632 | 2.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $90,430 | 2.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $83,657 | 2.1x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $82,964 | 2.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,554 | 2.0x |
| Information Science/Studies | $73,990 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,428 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $69,910 | 1.8x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $69,479 | 1.8x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $69,474 | 1.8x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $68,352 | 1.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $65,940 | 1.7x |
| Real Estate | $61,641 | 1.6x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $61,522 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,171 | 1.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $60,623 | 1.6x |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $57,905 | 1.5x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $52,812 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $52,497 | 1.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,745 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,476 | 1.3x |
| Security Science and Technology | $50,263 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,603 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,725 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,047 | 1.2x |
| Chemistry | $45,628 | 1.2x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $45,072 | 1.1x |
| Social Work | $45,039 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $44,078 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $43,873 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,156 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $41,752 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $41,671 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $41,591 | 1.1x |
| History | $40,375 | 1.0x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $40,073 | 1.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,889 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,808 | 1.0x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $39,804 | 1.0x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $38,301 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,671 | 0.9x |
| Music | $33,538 | 0.9x |
| Anthropology | $31,916 | 0.8x |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | $29,063 | 0.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,538 | 0.7x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $26,192 | 0.7x |
| DanceLowest(1yr data) | $20,397 | 0.5x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 1.49x | $58,128 | Average ROI |
| Tennessee Technological University | 2.41x | $48,501 | Strong ROI |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | 2.81x | $51,151 | Strong ROI |
| University of Kentucky | 1.77x | $59,025 | Good ROI |
| Old Dominion University | 1.68x | $54,914 | Good ROI |
| University of Louisville | 1.85x | $53,899 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Virginia Commonwealth University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $58,128 10 years after starting — $13,128 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.