Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 64.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 65.4%
- Retention Rate
- 85.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $58,128
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 56.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $234,763 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $181,454 | $102,262 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $119,256 | $141,047 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $106,935 | $273,400 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $93,467 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $93,178 | $37,750 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $89,305 | $27,834 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $86,867 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $82,440 | $51,250 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | Master | $76,460 | $43,799 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $23,605 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $71,734 | $19,933 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $22,550 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $68,499 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $67,995 | $71,750 |
Outcomes Overview
VCU graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $21,500, creating monthly payments of $228. With median earnings of $58,128 ten years out, graduates dedicate about 4.7% of their monthly income to loan payments. This debt-to-income ratio sits below the national average of 6-8% for public universities. The school's strong programs in healthcare, social work, and the arts pipeline graduates into stable career tracks. VCU's location in Richmond provides access to government jobs, healthcare systems, and creative industries. Nearly all graduates find employment, with a 95.2% employment rate. The combination of moderate debt loads and solid earning potential in growing fields makes VCU a strong return on investment.