Williamsburg, VA · Private University
Is William & Mary Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$73,490
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$25,040
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,412
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$197,648
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.49x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
91.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,529
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
William & Mary graduates earn $28,490 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 William & Mary ranked by graduate earnings
51 graduates
23 graduates
110 graduates
23 graduates
65 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at William & Mary
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At William & Mary, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $104,938) and the lowest (Biology, General: $47,139) is $57,799/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $104,938 | 2.1x |
| Mathematics | $91,943 | 1.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $85,678 | 1.7x |
| Chemistry | $72,660 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $72,419 | 1.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $66,955 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,113 | 1.2x |
| Area Studies | $59,898 | 1.2x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $58,560 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $58,114 | 1.2x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $56,703 | 1.1x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $53,258 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $52,022 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $51,232 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $51,194 | 1.0x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $49,592 | 1.0x |
| History | $49,311 | 1.0x |
| Biology, GeneralLowest | $47,139 | 0.9x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| William & Mary | 1.49x | $73,490 | Average ROI |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 1.50x | $86,863 | Average ROI |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 1.66x | $66,125 | Good ROI |
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 2.06x | $82,860 | Strong ROI |
| Binghamton University | 2.74x | $80,596 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
William & Mary delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $73,490 10 years after starting — $28,490 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.1 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.