Longwood University
Longwood University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Longwood University at a Glance
Longwood University is a public university in Farmville, Virginia, United States. Founded on March 5, 1839, it is the third-oldest public university in Virginia and one of the hundred oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Originally established as the Farmville Female Seminary, a female seminary, normal school, and college, later becoming widely known as Longwood or Longwood College. The university became coeducational in 1976 and officially attained university status on …
1839
187 years old
$118M
$117.75 million (2025)
5,096
4,574 undergrad · 522 grad
154 acres
Identity
Is Longwood University Worth It?
Longwood University offers moderate value at $19,066/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $52,347, which is 3% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Longwood University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #64 of 145 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #6 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #64 | Longwood University | 42 | $19,066 | $52,347 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Longwood University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in VA.
Best Programs at Longwood University
The highest-earning program at Longwood University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $25,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Longwood University earns $57,000, while a History graduate earns $25,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,066/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,000 | $57,000 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,800 | $42,800 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,900 | $39,900 | $23,337 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $32,500 | $32,500 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,400 | $31,400 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,300 | $31,300 | $20,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $26,792 |
| Social Work | $29,900 | $29,900 | N/A |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $26,407 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $21,003 |
| Biology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,000 |
| History | $25,700 | $25,700 | $25,104 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Farmville, VA
- Student Body
- 3,015 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,066
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,347
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000