At $7,563/yr net price, University of the Virgin Islands graduates earn $38,681/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,681/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,563 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,252 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,681/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,681/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,800 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,828/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,211/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,895/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,729/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,895/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $45,529 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,132 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $19,533 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $31,839 | $12,970 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $16,037 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 |
The Risk Factor
28.6% of students at University of the Virgin Islands 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 University of the Virgin Islands is weak, and the numbers make that clear. You pay a low net price, around $7,500 a year, and carry modest debt when you leave, around $16,800. But median earnings ten years out land at $38,681, and only 28.6% of students finish. Low cost is the one thing working in your favor here. the payoff on the other end is thin.
Look at the program-level earnings and the ceiling is low across the board. Teacher education graduates earn the most at $36,132, followed by accounting at $32,925 and nursing at $31,839. Nursing is your best value: you graduate with less debt (about $12,970) than accounting graduates (about $19,533) and earn nearly as much. Accounting saddles you with more debt for similar pay. Business administration and psychology sit at the bottom, near $25,000 and $24,000, so those degrees give you the least financial return for your time and money.
The biggest risk is the graduation rate. Under a third of students finish, which means the real danger is paying and borrowing without walking away with a degree. Retention at 76% shows most of you return after year one, so the drop-off comes later. Debt is small, but debt with no degree is the worst outcome.
This school fits you if cost is the deciding factor and you plan to study nursing or teaching in the territory. Net price barely moves with income, from about $6,200 for the lowest earners to roughly $10,900 above $110k, so higher-income families see less discount but still pay a low absolute figure. If you want strong earnings after graduation, the numbers here do not support that expectation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of the Virgin Islands worth the cost compared to other colleges?
University of the Virgin Islands offers a relatively low net price at $7,563 per year, but graduates earn a median of $38,681 after 10 years, which is below the national average. The 28.6% graduation rate is concerning and significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.
What are the best paying majors at University of the Virgin Islands?
Business Administration graduates from University of the Virgin Islands earn the highest median salary at $45,529, followed by Teacher Education at $36,132. However, these earnings are still modest compared to national averages for similar programs.
How much student debt do University of the Virgin Islands graduates typically have?
University of the Virgin Islands graduates carry a median debt of $16,800, which is relatively manageable given the low cost of attendance. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable for those who complete their degree.
What is the biggest risk of attending University of the Virgin Islands?
The biggest risk is the extremely low 28.6% graduation rate, meaning most students who enroll never finish their degree. Students who don't graduate still accumulate debt but miss out on the earnings boost that comes with a completed degree.