At $26,205/yr net price, South University-Richmond graduates earn $34,421/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $421/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,205 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $104,820 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,421/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$421/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 249 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,123 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,036/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,054/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $100,140 | $139,314 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $98,736 | $46,988 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,613 | $59,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 | $23,592 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $60,839 | $43,847 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $44,418 | $45,268 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 | $46,193 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,986 | $46,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $37,478 | $41,000 |
The Risk Factor
20.7% of students at South University-Richmond 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
The financial picture at South University-Richmond is weak, and one program is the only reason to look here at all. You pay about $26,000 a year net, and the median graduate earns $34,421 a decade out. That figure barely clears what many workers earn without any degree, which makes the overall bet a poor one at this price.
Nursing is the exception, and it's a sharp one. Graduates earn roughly $67,000 and carry the lowest debt of any program on this list, around $23,600. That combination pays off in Virginia's steady healthcare market. If you're here for nursing and you finish, the math works.
Everything else is a warning sign. Information Science and Business Administration graduates earn in the low $40,000s while borrowing $45,000 or more, so you leave owing nearly as much as you'll make in a year. Criminal Justice and Health Administration graduates earn in the mid-$30,000s against debt above $39,000. Those are losing trades.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 21% of students graduate, and just 64% return after year one. You can borrow a full year's tuition, drop out, and leave with debt and no credential. That danger hits hardest if you enroll in anything but nursing.
Net price barely moves with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $26,000, and families in the $30,000-$48,000 range actually pay slightly more, around $27,000. Lower income buys you no meaningful discount here, so a modest household shoulders the same cost as a wealthier one.
This school is a fit only if you're committed to nursing and confident you'll graduate. If you're considering business, IT, criminal justice, or health administration, a public university or community college will cost far less and leave you with less debt for similar or better pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South University-Richmond worth the cost?
South University-Richmond's ROI is poor for most students, with graduates earning just $34,421 ten years after enrollment despite paying over $26,000 annually. The 21% graduation rate means most students leave without a degree but still carry debt.
What are the best paying programs at South University-Richmond?
Allied health diagnostic programs and nursing degrees offer the strongest returns at South University-Richmond, with some graduates earning $66,000-$100,000. Information science graduates earn around $60,000, while other programs typically lead to much lower salaries.
How much debt do South University-Richmond graduates have?
South University-Richmond graduates leave with a median debt of $26,123. Given the low average earnings of $34,421, this debt burden represents a significant financial challenge for most graduates.
What is South University-Richmond's graduation rate?
Only 21% of students graduate from South University-Richmond. This extremely low completion rate means most students accumulate debt without earning their degree, making the investment particularly risky.