University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Washington and Lee University: which has better ROI?
Washington and Lee University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,124 in 2 years versus 2.2 years at University of Virginia-Main Campus, on median earnings of $94,810 vs $86,863 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,565 | $23,781 |
| Total net cost | $86,260 | $95,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,863 | $94,810 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $683,800 | $833,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia-Main Campus or Washington and Lee University?
University of Virginia-Main Campus, at $21,565 a year after aid versus $23,781 — a gap of $2,216 a year, or $8,864 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 Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates report a median $94,810 ten years after entry, $7,947 more than the $86,863 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. 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 Washington and Lee University?
University of Virginia-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Washington and Lee University, 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?
96% of students finish at University of Virginia-Main Campus, against 94% at Washington and Lee University. 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.