Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Roanoke College vs University of Lynchburg: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Salem VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lynchburg VA

The verdict

Roanoke College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,012 in 10.1 years versus 11.1 years at University of Lynchburg, on median earnings of $58,047 vs $56,380 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRoanoke CollegeUniversity of Lynchburg
Net price / yr$24,503$22,235
Total net cost$98,012$88,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,047$56,380
Median debt$27,000$27,000
Payback10.1 yrs11.1 yrs
20-year net return$95,728$71,460

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

Which is cheaper, Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg?

University of Lynchburg, at $22,235 a year after aid versus $24,503 — a gap of $2,268 a year, or $9,072 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg graduates earn more?

Roanoke College graduates report a median $58,047 ten years after entry, $1,667 more than the $56,380 at University of Lynchburg. 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, Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg?

Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Roanoke College, 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.

Roanoke College vs University of Lynchburg: frequently asked questions

Is Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg a better value?
Roanoke College. It clears its $98,012 net cost in about 10.1 years versus 11.1 years at University of Lynchburg, on median earnings of $58,047 vs $56,380 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg?
University of Lynchburg: $22,235/yr net price after aid versus $24,503/yr at Roanoke College — a difference of $2,268 a year, or about $9,072 over four years.
Do Roanoke College or University of Lynchburg graduates earn more?
Roanoke College graduates earn a median $58,047 ten years after entry, versus $56,380 at University of Lynchburg — a $1,667 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.