University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Riverside College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,260 in 2.2 years versus 2.3 years at Riverside College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $86,863 vs $66,072 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Riverside College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,565 | $20,744 |
| Total net cost | $86,260 | $41,488 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,863 | $66,072 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,787 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $683,800 | $312,752 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences, at $20,744 a year after aid versus $21,565 — a gap of $821 a year, or $44,772 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 Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates report a median $86,863 ten years after entry, $20,791 more than the $66,072 at Riverside College of Health Sciences. 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 Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,787 in federal loans versus $17,500 at University of Virginia-Main Campus, a difference of $2,713. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
100% of students finish at Riverside College of Health Sciences, against 96% at University of Virginia-Main Campus. 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.