At $19,452/yr net price, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates earn $58,128/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,128/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,452 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,808 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,128/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,128/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,830/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,612/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,455/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,633/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,474/yr |
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 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $23,605 |
The Risk Factor
65.4% of students at Virginia Commonwealth University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at Virginia Commonwealth University is solid for a public school in Richmond, and the median debt of $21,500 stays low enough that most graduates can pay it down without a decade of strain. Your median earnings land above the debt load, which is the basic math you want to see.
The payoff splits sharply by major. Computer engineering and computer science graduates clear the mid-$70,000s and low-$70,000s, putting them well ahead of the school-wide median. Electrical engineering and mechanical engineering also pay off, with earnings in the low-to-mid $60,000s against debt that stays close to $22,000. Dental support and allied professions holds up too. These are the programs where the numbers work cleanly. The listed data is heavily engineering and computing, so if you enroll expecting a humanities or arts payoff, you have no program-level proof here that the return will match.
The main risk is finishing. A 65% graduation rate means a real share of students leave with debt and no degree, and the earnings figures only apply if you actually graduate. The 86% retention rate is the more encouraging signal, since most freshmen come back.
Net price tells families a clear story. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $13,000 a year, and that price against a $58,000 median makes VCU a strong bet. Above $110,000, you pay about $28,000 a year, and the return still works but the margin tightens.
VCU fits you well if you commit to engineering or computing and plan to finish in four years. Look harder if you are unsure of your major or worried about completing, since the middling graduation rate is where the money gets lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Commonwealth University worth the cost?
VCU offers solid value for Virginia residents with a relatively low net price of $19,452 and graduates earning $58,128 after 10 years. The return depends heavily on your program choice, as health sciences majors significantly outperform the university average while other programs lag behind.
What are the highest paying majors at Virginia Commonwealth University?
VCU's dentistry and nursing programs deliver strong returns, with dentistry graduates earning over $100,000 and nursing graduates averaging $181,454. Business majors earn around $93,467, which is well above the university average but not exceptional compared to other schools.
How much debt do Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have?
VCU graduates leave with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given the relatively affordable tuition. However, the 65% graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without finishing their degrees.
Does Virginia Commonwealth University have good financial aid?
VCU keeps costs reasonable for most students with an average net price under $20,000 per year. The school's 91% acceptance rate means aid isn't highly competitive, but the low sticker price makes it accessible without requiring exceptional aid packages.