Randolph College
Randolph College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Randolph College at a Glance
Randolph College is a private liberal arts and sciences college in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1891 as Randolph-Macon Woman's College, it was renamed on July 1, 2007, when it became coeducational. The college's intercollegiate athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III as a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The college fields varsity teams in six men's and eight women's sports.
1891
135 years old
$197M
$197 million (2022)
634
61
100 acres
Identity
Is Randolph College Worth It?
Randolph College offers moderate value at $15,921/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,409, which is 1% 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 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,950 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Randolph College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #13 of 77 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #5 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #13 | Randolph College | 41 | $15,921 | $53,409 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Randolph College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in VA.
Best Programs at Randolph College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Randolph College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,921/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
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lynchburg, VA
- Student Body
- 658 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,921
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,409
- Median Student Debt
- $26,950