At $27,759/yr net price, Randolph-Macon College graduates earn $58,448/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,448/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,759 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $111,036 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,448/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,448/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,959/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,278/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,921/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,916/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,417/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $53,810 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $24,156 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $44,276 | $27,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $43,426 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,823 |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $25,974 |
| History. | Bachelor | $36,141 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $35,861 | $25,739 |
The Risk Factor
74.6% of students at Randolph-Macon College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Randolph-Macon lands in mixed territory. You'll pay close to $28,000 a year and leave with debt roughly equal to what a typical graduate earns in six months. The median earnings ten years out clear that debt comfortably, so the return works if you finish,and with a 75% graduation rate and 81% first-year retention, most of you do.
The payoff splits sharply by major. Mathematics graduates out-earn every other program tracked here, and accounting follows with the added benefit of below-average debt. Economics and political science sit lower on the earnings scale while carrying the full $27,000 debt load, so those paths ask you to borrow the same amount for a smaller starting return. Communication and media studies lands in the same spot,full debt, middling pay. Ashland sits between Richmond and the D.C. corridor, which gives accounting and finance-adjacent skills a real regional market to plug into.
The main financial risk here is picking a lower-earning liberal arts major and borrowing the standard amount anyway. The debt is the same whether you study math or communication. the earnings are not. Choose your major with the salary gap in mind.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay about $8,000 less per year than a family over $110,000. But the discount flattens fast,families in the $48,000 to $110,000 range pay almost the same $29,000 as the wealthiest families, so middle-income households get squeezed hardest relative to their means.
This school fits you if you're aiming at accounting, math, or a quantitative field and can access the lower-income price breaks. If you're set on a lower-earning major and land in the middle-income tier paying near full price, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Randolph-Macon College worth the cost?
With a net price of $27,759 and 10-year median earnings of $58,448, Randolph-Macon offers a break-even point around 6-7 years after graduation. The high acceptance rate (85%) and modest SAT scores suggest it's accessible but not highly selective, which typically correlates with lower earning potential.
What majors at Randolph-Macon College have the best ROI?
Mathematics graduates earn the most at $53,810, followed by Accounting at $47,260. Liberal arts programs like Communication ($44,276) and Political Science ($41,342) show weaker returns relative to the cost of attendance.
How much debt do Randolph-Macon College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $27,000, which is manageable given the starting salaries for top programs. However, graduates in lower-paying majors may struggle with debt-to-income ratios above the recommended 10% threshold.
Does Randolph-Macon College provide good value compared to other schools?
At nearly $28,000 net price annually, Randolph-Macon costs more than many state schools while producing earnings similar to less expensive regional colleges. The 75% graduation rate is respectable but doesn't justify the premium pricing for most students.