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Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 20,797 Undergrads 69.6% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$34,346
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$19,452
After Aid
Median Earnings
$58,128
10yr Post-Entry
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$19,452
Peer Midpoint: $19,729.5
Earnings (10yr)$58,128
Peer Midpoint: $53,747
Graduation Rate69.6%
Peer Midpoint: 58.5%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients30.4%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time89.1%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS73.1%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
93.1%
SAT Avg
1,168
SAT Reading
25th: 53060575th: 650
SAT Math
25th: 50058075th: 620
ACT Composite
25th: 222575th: 30
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$502k
+$106k
+$18k
Median Cost$19k/yr
+$432k
+$36k
-$52k
Full Cost$34k/yr
+$379k
-$18k
-$106k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
48
∞
Median Cost$19k/yr
Never
-75%
Full Cost$34k/yr
Never
-86%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 10-year median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return-60%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-72%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Certificates
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
CertCIP: 3000
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$74,599
Lifetime Value Added
+$308k
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$23,500
Earnings (5yr)
$71,783
Lifetime Value Added
+$62k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
BachCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (5yr)
$70,688
Lifetime Value Added
+$54k
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
$13,996
Earnings (5yr)
$41,449
Lifetime Value Added
-$180k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
$22,625
Earnings (5yr)
$51,261
Lifetime Value Added
-$99k
Biological and Physical Sciences
BachCIP: 3001
Median Debt
$24,000
Earnings (5yr)
$57,252
Lifetime Value Added
-$50k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$62,092
Lifetime Value Added
-$12k
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
BachCIP: 2611
Median Debt
$19,036
Earnings (2yr)
$37,208
Lifetime Value Added
-$197k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
BachCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$22,250
Earnings (5yr)
$76,242
Lifetime Value Added
+$96k
Business/Commerce, General
BachCIP: 5201
Median Debt
$21,298
Earnings (5yr)
$70,969
Lifetime Value Added
+$56k
Business/Managerial Economics
BachCIP: 5206
Median Debt
$18,000
Earnings (5yr)
$81,935
Lifetime Value Added
+$138k
Chemical Engineering
BachCIP: 1407
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$91,990
Lifetime Value Added
+$214k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$63,326
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
BachCIP: 5110
Median Debt
$19,849
Earnings (5yr)
$71,425
Lifetime Value Added
+$60k
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$56,586
Lifetime Value Added
-$55k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$19,933
Earnings (5yr)
$117,373
Lifetime Value Added
+$403k
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
$23,605
Earnings (2yr)
$76,460
Lifetime Value Added
+$132k
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
BachCIP: 5002
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$33,207
Lifetime Value Added
-$250k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$21,250
Earnings (5yr)
$57,508
Lifetime Value Added
-$48k
Dance
BachCIP: 5003
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (2yr)
$24,035
Lifetime Value Added
-$317k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
BachCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$22,341
Earnings (5yr)
$75,427
Lifetime Value Added
+$90k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$24,250
Earnings (5yr)
$49,801
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$29,450
Lifetime Value Added
-$283k
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
BachCIP: 1410
Median Debt
$22,550
Earnings (5yr)
$99,480
Lifetime Value Added
+$270k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$19,949
Earnings (5yr)
$46,439
Lifetime Value Added
-$138k
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
BachCIP: 0502
Median Debt
$25,998
Earnings (5yr)
$51,484
Lifetime Value Added
-$97k
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
BachCIP: 5006
Median Debt
$24,125
Earnings (5yr)
$43,942
Lifetime Value Added
-$159k
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$57,318
Lifetime Value Added
-$22k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$38,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$208k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$21,269
Earnings (5yr)
$42,698
Lifetime Value Added
-$170k
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
BachCIP: 4399
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (5yr)
$65,519
Lifetime Value Added
+$15k
Information Science/Studies
BachCIP: 1104
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$86,853
Lifetime Value Added
+$175k
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
BachCIP: 1601
Median Debt
$21,627
Earnings (5yr)
$49,017
Lifetime Value Added
-$117k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$61,633
Lifetime Value Added
-$15k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$25,750
Earnings (2yr)
$41,193
Lifetime Value Added
-$161k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$22,220
Earnings (5yr)
$87,500
Lifetime Value Added
+$180k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (5yr)
$51,371
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$42,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$53,220
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (5yr)
$55,117
Lifetime Value Added
-$67k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$21,167
Earnings (5yr)
$54,210
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Real Estate
BachCIP: 5215
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$48,432
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$21,591
Earnings (5yr)
$86,488
Lifetime Value Added
+$172k
Religion/Religious Studies
BachCIP: 3802
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$46,061
Lifetime Value Added
-$142k
Security Science and Technology
BachCIP: 4304
Median Debt
$24,583
Earnings (5yr)
$58,080
Lifetime Value Added
-$43k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (5yr)
$52,309
Lifetime Value Added
-$90k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$23,500
Earnings (5yr)
$46,863
Lifetime Value Added
-$135k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$52,617
Lifetime Value Added
-$88k
Urban Studies/Affairs
BachCIP: 4512
Median Debt
$22,250
Earnings (5yr)
$52,091
Lifetime Value Added
-$92k
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
PB-CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$87,843
Lifetime Value Added
+$388k
Information Science/Studies
PB-CertCIP: 1104
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$49,683
Lifetime Value Added
+$53k
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$68,499
Lifetime Value Added
+$169k
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
MastCIP: 5105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$287,357
Lifetime Value Added
+$1944k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$127,587
Lifetime Value Added
+$639k
Business/Commerce, General
MastCIP: 5201
Median Debt
$54,332
Earnings (5yr)
$123,969
Lifetime Value Added
+$609k
Communication and Media Studies
MastCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$39,009
Lifetime Value Added
-$118k
Design and Applied Arts
MastCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$50,465
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
MastCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,519
Lifetime Value Added
+$71k
Education, General
MastCIP: 1301
Median Debt
$25,419
Earnings (5yr)
$53,087
Lifetime Value Added
-$7k
English Language and Literature, General
MastCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Lifetime Value Added
-$170k
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$31,145
Earnings (5yr)
$43,455
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$51,250
Earnings (5yr)
$120,156
Lifetime Value Added
+$576k
Health and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$63,448
Lifetime Value Added
+$88k
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$25,967
Lifetime Value Added
-$254k
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
MastCIP: 4399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$99,382
Lifetime Value Added
+$398k
Information Science/Studies
MastCIP: 1104
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$125,277
Lifetime Value Added
+$620k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
MastCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (2yr)
$65,905
Lifetime Value Added
+$145k
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
MastCIP: 3000
Median Debt
$43,799
Earnings (2yr)
$76,460
Lifetime Value Added
+$242k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
MastCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$60,816
Lifetime Value Added
+$65k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$26,604
Earnings (5yr)
$70,867
Lifetime Value Added
+$153k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$55,512
Lifetime Value Added
+$47k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$37,750
Earnings (5yr)
$124,642
Lifetime Value Added
+$614k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
MastCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$36,100
Earnings (5yr)
$70,120
Lifetime Value Added
+$147k
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
MastCIP: 2313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$30,409
Lifetime Value Added
-$207k
Security Science and Technology
MastCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,643
Lifetime Value Added
+$143k
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$59,722
Lifetime Value Added
+$55k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$18,650
Earnings (5yr)
$56,908
Lifetime Value Added
+$29k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$56,120
Lifetime Value Added
+$22k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$55,477
Lifetime Value Added
+$16k
Urban Studies/Affairs
MastCIP: 4512
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$75,626
Lifetime Value Added
+$194k
Graduate Certificates
Biology, General
Gr-CertCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$38,722
Earnings (5yr)
$69,968
Lifetime Value Added
+$222k
Educational Administration and Supervision
Gr-CertCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$52,107
Lifetime Value Added
+$79k
Doctoral Degrees
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$27,834
Earnings (5yr)
$110,326
Lifetime Value Added
+$301k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
DocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$102,262
Earnings (5yr)
$214,278
Lifetime Value Added
+$1047k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
DocCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$71,750
Earnings (5yr)
$74,019
Lifetime Value Added
+$37k
Professional Degrees
Dentistry
ProfCIP: 5104
Median Debt
$273,400
Earnings (5yr)
$171,547
Lifetime Value Added
+$743k
Medicine
ProfCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$202,416
Earnings (5yr)
$166,894
Lifetime Value Added
+$709k
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
ProfCIP: 5120
Median Debt
$141,047
Earnings (5yr)
$139,694
Lifetime Value Added
+$513k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate, accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results should not be compared with those Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors starting at age 18.