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Longwood University vs University of Lynchburg: which has better ROI?

Public, Farmville VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lynchburg VA

The verdict

University of Lynchburg has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,940 in 11.1 years versus 19.1 years at Longwood University, on median earnings of $56,380 vs $52,347 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLongwood UniversityUniversity of Lynchburg
Net price / yr$19,066$22,235
Total net cost$76,264$88,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,347$56,380
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback19.1 yrs11.1 yrs
20-year net return$3,476$71,460

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Longwood University or University of Lynchburg?

Longwood University, at $19,066 a year after aid versus $22,235 — a gap of $3,169 a year, or $12,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Longwood University or University of Lynchburg graduates earn more?

University of Lynchburg graduates report a median $56,380 ten years after entry, $4,033 more than the $52,347 at Longwood University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Longwood University or University of Lynchburg?

Longwood University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Lynchburg, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at Longwood University, against 57% at University of Lynchburg. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Longwood University vs University of Lynchburg: frequently asked questions

Is Longwood University or University of Lynchburg a better value?
University of Lynchburg. It clears its $88,940 net cost in about 11.1 years versus 19.1 years at Longwood University, on median earnings of $56,380 vs $52,347 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Longwood University or University of Lynchburg?
Longwood University: $19,066/yr net price after aid versus $22,235/yr at University of Lynchburg — a difference of $3,169 a year, or about $12,676 over four years.
Do Longwood University or University of Lynchburg graduates earn more?
University of Lynchburg graduates earn a median $56,380 ten years after entry, versus $52,347 at Longwood University — a $4,033 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.