At $8,920/yr net price, Richard Bland College graduates earn $41,452/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,452/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,920 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,680 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,452/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,452/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,899/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,174/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,603/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,936/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,733/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Sciences. | Associate | $19,358 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
20.9% of students at Richard Bland College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Richard Bland College delivers weak financial returns that should give you serious pause. With median earnings of just $41,452 ten years after enrollment and a troubling 20.90% graduation rate, your investment faces significant headwinds.
The school's program offerings present stark warning signs. Physical Sciences graduates earn only $19,358 annually while carrying $12,000 in debt, creating an immediate financial burden that extends well beyond graduation. This earning level falls far below what you need to justify even the relatively modest debt load.
Your biggest risk here is the graduation rate. With fewer than one in five students completing their programs, you face overwhelming odds of leaving without credentials while still carrying debt. The $11,000 median debt burden may seem manageable, but it becomes problematic when paired with such low completion rates and weak earning outcomes.
Financial aid presents another challenge. Only 14.37% of students receive aid, suggesting limited institutional support for affordability. This puts the full cost burden on most families without meaningful assistance.
Richard Bland College works financially only for students who can afford the full cost without borrowing and have clear transfer plans to four-year institutions. If you need student loans or plan to enter the workforce directly after two years, the numbers argue strongly against enrollment. Your money and time would generate better returns at community colleges with stronger completion rates or universities with higher earning outcomes.
Consider this school only if you have guaranteed transfer agreements to stronger four-year programs and can pay cash for the full experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richard Bland College worth the cost for most students?
Richard Bland College offers a low net price of $8,920 per year, but the 10-year median earnings of $41,452 and extremely low graduation rate of 21% raise serious concerns about value. The low debt load of $11,000 helps, but many students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Richard Bland College have the best return on investment?
Physical Sciences graduates earn a median of $19,358, which is significantly below the overall school average and well below national standards for science fields. Most other program outcomes are not publicly reported, which limits ability to assess specific majors.
How much student debt do Richard Bland College graduates typically have?
Richard Bland College graduates carry a relatively low median debt of $11,000, which is manageable compared to four-year institutions. However, this low debt figure only applies to the 21% of students who actually graduate.
Does Richard Bland College provide good financial aid to students?
The net price of $8,920 per year suggests decent financial aid for a Virginia public institution. However, the extremely low graduation rate means many students pay tuition without earning a degree, making the true cost much higher than advertised.