Virginia Commonwealth University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Virginia Commonwealth University charges a net price of $23,433/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $93,732. Graduates earn a median $58,128 ten years after entry, $9,768/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.6 years — a 20-year net return of $101,628, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Virginia Commonwealth University's 9.6-year payback ranks #775 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 40% of them, and #20 of 81 in Virginia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,433/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $93,732 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,128 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $9,768/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $101,628 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Virginia Commonwealth University's own numbers. Net price $23,433 × 4 years = $93,732 total. Median earnings $58,128 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,768 a year of premium. $93,732 ÷ $9,768 = 9.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $101,628. 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 Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $58,128 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate?
63% finish their degree — 37% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $93,732 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $148,781 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University expensive compared with other Virginia colleges?
Its $23,433 net price runs $4,367 above the $19,066 median across the 81 Virginia colleges we profile, or $17,468 more across the full degree.