Virginia Commonwealth University vs Randolph-Macon College: which has better ROI?
Virginia Commonwealth University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,732 in 9.6 years versus 11 years at Randolph-Macon College, on median earnings of $58,128 vs $58,448 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Commonwealth University | Randolph-Macon College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,433 | $27,866 |
| Total net cost | $93,732 | $111,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,128 | $58,448 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.6 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $101,628 | $90,296 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Commonwealth University or Randolph-Macon College?
Virginia Commonwealth University, at $23,433 a year after aid versus $27,866 — a gap of $4,433 a year, or $17,732 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Virginia Commonwealth University or Randolph-Macon College graduates earn more?
Randolph-Macon College graduates report a median $58,448 ten years after entry, $320 more than the $58,128 at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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, Virginia Commonwealth University or Randolph-Macon College?
Virginia Commonwealth University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Randolph-Macon 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?
70% of students finish at Randolph-Macon College, against 63% at Virginia Commonwealth 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.