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Shenandoah University vs Randolph College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Winchester VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lynchburg VA

The verdict

Shenandoah University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,192 in 12 years versus 12.6 years at Randolph College, on median earnings of $58,433 vs $53,409 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureShenandoah UniversityRandolph College
Net price / yr$30,298$15,921
Total net cost$121,192$63,684
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,433$53,409
Median debt$25,000$26,950
Payback12 yrs12.6 yrs
20-year net return$80,268$37,296

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

Which is cheaper, Shenandoah University or Randolph College?

Randolph College, at $15,921 a year after aid versus $30,298 — a gap of $14,377 a year, or $57,508 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Shenandoah University or Randolph College graduates earn more?

Shenandoah University graduates report a median $58,433 ten years after entry, $5,024 more than the $53,409 at Randolph College. 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, Shenandoah University or Randolph College?

Shenandoah University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,950 at Randolph College, a difference of $1,950. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Shenandoah University, against 46% at Randolph College. 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.

Shenandoah University vs Randolph College: frequently asked questions

Is Shenandoah University or Randolph College a better value?
Shenandoah University. It clears its $121,192 net cost in about 12 years versus 12.6 years at Randolph College, on median earnings of $58,433 vs $53,409 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Shenandoah University or Randolph College?
Randolph College: $15,921/yr net price after aid versus $30,298/yr at Shenandoah University — a difference of $14,377 a year, or about $57,508 over four years.
Do Shenandoah University or Randolph College graduates earn more?
Shenandoah University graduates earn a median $58,433 ten years after entry, versus $53,409 at Randolph College — a $5,024 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.