University of Mary Washington — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Mary Washington charges a net price of $20,667/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $82,668. Graduates earn a median $60,613 ten years after entry, $12,253/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.7 years — a 20-year net return of $162,392, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Mary Washington's 6.7-year payback ranks #597 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 53% of them, and #16 of 81 in Virginia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,667/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $82,668 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $60,613 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $12,253/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $162,392 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Mary Washington's own numbers. Net price $20,667 × 4 years = $82,668 total. Median earnings $60,613 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $12,253 a year of premium. $82,668 ÷ $12,253 = 6.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $162,392. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Mary Washington students graduate with?
A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $60,613 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Mary Washington students graduate?
66% finish their degree — 34% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $82,668 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $125,255 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Mary Washington expensive compared with other Virginia colleges?
Its $20,667 net price runs $1,601 above the $19,066 median across the 81 Virginia colleges we profile, or $6,404 more across the full degree.