Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Chamberlain University-Virginia: which has better ROI?
Chamberlain University-Virginia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $132,796 in 3 years versus 3 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, on median earnings of $92,405 vs $81,698 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Chamberlain University-Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,953 | $33,199 |
| Total net cost | $99,812 | $132,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,698 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $566,948 | $748,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Chamberlain University-Virginia?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, at $24,953 a year after aid versus $33,199 — a gap of $8,246 a year, or $32,984 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 Polytechnic Institute and State University or Chamberlain University-Virginia graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-Virginia graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $10,707 more than the $81,698 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 Polytechnic Institute and State University or Chamberlain University-Virginia?
Chamberlain University-Virginia: its completers carry a median $20,919 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a difference of $581. 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 Chamberlain University-Virginia, against 86% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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.