University of Richmond — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Richmond charges a net price of $31,309/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $125,236. Graduates earn a median $76,178 ten years after entry, $27,818/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.5 years — a 20-year net return of $431,124, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Richmond's 4.5-year payback ranks #364 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 72% of them, and #13 of 81 in Virginia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $31,309/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $125,236 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $76,178 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $27,818/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $431,124 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Richmond's own numbers. Net price $31,309 × 4 years = $125,236 total. Median earnings $76,178 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $27,818 a year of premium. $125,236 ÷ $27,818 = 4.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $431,124. 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 Richmond students graduate with?
A median $21,000 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $76,178 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Richmond students graduate?
85% finish their degree. Spread the $125,236 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $147,336 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Richmond expensive compared with other Virginia colleges?
Its $31,309 net price runs $12,243 above the $19,066 median across the 81 Virginia colleges we profile, or $48,972 more across the full degree.