Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,260 in 2.2 years versus 3 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, on median earnings of $86,863 vs $81,698 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | University of Virginia-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,953 | $21,565 |
| Total net cost | $99,812 | $86,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,698 | $86,863 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $17,500 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $566,948 | $683,800 |
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 University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus, at $21,565 a year after aid versus $24,953 — a gap of $3,388 a year, or $13,552 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 University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates report a median $86,863 ten years after entry, $5,165 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 University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a difference of $4,000. 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 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.