Virginia Commonwealth University vs Roanoke 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 10.1 years at Roanoke College, on median earnings of $58,128 vs $58,047 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Commonwealth University | Roanoke College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,433 | $24,503 |
| Total net cost | $93,732 | $98,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,128 | $58,047 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.6 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $101,628 | $95,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Commonwealth University or Roanoke College?
Virginia Commonwealth University, at $23,433 a year after aid versus $24,503 — a gap of $1,070 a year, or $4,280 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 Roanoke College graduates earn more?
Virginia Commonwealth University graduates report a median $58,128 ten years after entry, $81 more than the $58,047 at Roanoke 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, Virginia Commonwealth University or Roanoke College?
Virginia Commonwealth University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Roanoke 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?
67% of students finish at Roanoke 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.