Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Galen Health Institutes-Richmond: which has better ROI?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,812 in 3 years versus 3.6 years at Galen Health Institutes-Richmond, on median earnings of $81,698 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Galen Health Institutes-Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,953 | $23,843 |
| Total net cost | $99,812 | $47,686 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,698 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $566,948 | $214,714 |
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 Galen Health Institutes-Richmond?
Galen Health Institutes-Richmond, at $23,843 a year after aid versus $24,953 — a gap of $1,110 a year, or $52,126 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 Galen Health Institutes-Richmond graduates earn more?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates report a median $81,698 ten years after entry, $20,218 more than the $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Richmond. 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 Galen Health Institutes-Richmond?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Richmond, a difference of $2,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.