University of Mary Washington vs Hampden-Sydney College: which has better ROI?
Hampden-Sydney College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,600 in 4.6 years versus 6.7 years at University of Mary Washington, on median earnings of $67,640 vs $60,613 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Mary Washington | Hampden-Sydney College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,667 | $22,400 |
| Total net cost | $82,668 | $89,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,613 | $67,640 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $162,392 | $296,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Mary Washington or Hampden-Sydney College?
University of Mary Washington, at $20,667 a year after aid versus $22,400 — a gap of $1,733 a year, or $6,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Mary Washington or Hampden-Sydney College graduates earn more?
Hampden-Sydney College graduates report a median $67,640 ten years after entry, $7,027 more than the $60,613 at University of Mary Washington. 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, University of Mary Washington or Hampden-Sydney College?
University of Mary Washington: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Hampden-Sydney College, a difference of $5,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at University of Mary Washington, against 62% at Hampden-Sydney 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.