Virginia Commonwealth University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$65,832
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,161/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
269%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Virginia Commonwealth University's in-state tuition costs $16,458 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $41,934. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $47,161, and after ten years, the median earnings are $58,128. The median debt for graduates is $21,500, and 41.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates can be calculated by comparing the median debt to the median earnings. The one-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.51, calculated by dividing the median debt of $21,500 by the one-year earnings of $41,934. The five-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.46, and the ten-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.37.
The break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the total tuition cost, can be estimated. Assuming four years of tuition, the total cost is $65,832. Based on the one-year earnings, it would take approximately two years to surpass the total tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,458
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,161
Graduation Rate
65%
Receive Financial Aid
42%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $102,599 | 1954% |
| Psychology, General | $44,078 | 176% |
| Biology, General | $43,873 | 170% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $50,702 | 377% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $193,728 | 4722% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,889 | 49% |
| Social Work | $53,575 | 464% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,603 | 283% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,745 | 378% |
| Medicine | $92,896 | 1659% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,725 | 256% |
| Information Science/Studies | $111,599 | 2227% |
Peer Comparison
269%
20yr ROI
601%
20yr ROI
482%
20yr ROI
853%
20yr ROI
454%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.