At $33,417/yr net price, University of Richmond graduates earn $76,178/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $42,178/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,417 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $133,668 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,178/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42,178/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 87.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,026/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,646/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,818/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,086/yr |
| $110,001+ | $47,669/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $86,867 | $22,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $74,157 | $24,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $66,355 | $20,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $65,821 | $22,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $59,858 | $100,229 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $57,705 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $56,544 | $20,577 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $46,924 | $29,088 |
The Risk Factor
87.8% of students at University of Richmond graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
University of Richmond gives you a solid financial return, backed by an 87.8% graduation rate and a 93.18% retention rate that mean you're very likely to finish and finish on time. Median debt of $21,000 stays below what one year of median earnings covers, which keeps repayment manageable for most graduates.
Your major decides a lot here. Computer and Information Sciences and Accounting are the strongest earners, and both pay off well against their debt loads. Economics and Business Administration land in similar territory. Romance Languages sits at the bottom of the listed programs, and the gap between it and the CS track is roughly $27,000 a year within the same school,worth weighing if you're choosing between them. Note that CS carries the highest debt of these programs, so the payoff assumes you actually land a technical role after graduating.
The main financial risk is the sticker price. If your family earns over $110k, you're looking at a net price near $48,000 a year with little discount, and four years of that is a serious commitment even against $76,178 median earnings. Richmond's payoff depends heavily on you picking a business, economics, or computing path. the humanities-heavy student pays the same tuition for lower expected earnings.
Where the aid gets generous is the lower income tiers. Under $30k, you pay about $11,000 a year, and the $30-75k range stays in the mid-teens. That makes Richmond a strong financial fit if your family income is under about $75k and you head toward a quantitative or business major. If you're a full-pay family or set on a lower-earning field, run the numbers hard and compare against a strong in-state Virginia public before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Richmond worth the cost?
University of Richmond's $33,417 annual net price produces graduates earning $76,178 after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional for a selective private school. Business majors do well at $86,867, but other programs like human resources management lag behind at $63,005.
What is the ROI for University of Richmond graduates?
Richmond graduates see decent returns, especially in business programs where earnings reach $86,867 annually. The relatively low median debt of $21,000 helps, but the high net price means families need strong financial aid or significant savings to make the math work.
How much debt do University of Richmond students typically graduate with?
The median debt at University of Richmond is $21,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, this figure only reflects students who borrowed money and doesn't include families who paid full price or took on other forms of debt.
Which University of Richmond programs offer the best career outcomes?
Business administration leads at $86,867 in average earnings, followed by computer science at $74,157. Programs like human resources management and economics trail significantly, earning in the low-to-mid $60,000s despite the school's high costs.