Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Virginia Commonwealth University at a Glance
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute, founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2025, more than 29,280 students were enrolled in more than 200 academic programs, and 23 VCU programs …
1838
188 years old
$3.2B
$3.23 billion (2025)
28,919
21,707 undergrad · 7,212 grad
150 acres
Identity
Is Virginia Commonwealth University Worth It?
Virginia Commonwealth University offers moderate value at $23,433/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,128, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Virginia Commonwealth University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #60 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #60 | Virginia Commonwealth University | 40 | $23,433 | $58,128 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Virginia Commonwealth 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 Virginia Commonwealth University
The highest-earning program at Virginia Commonwealth University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University earns $64,600, while a Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry graduate earns $18,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,433/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,600 | $64,600 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,400 | $64,400 | $27,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $63,800 | $63,800 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,000 | $61,000 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,100 | $60,100 | $21,021 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $56,500 | $56,500 | $27,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $53,600 | $53,600 | $25,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $50,600 | $50,600 | $26,921 |
| Information Science/Studies | $50,000 | $50,000 | $24,844 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $23,625 |
| Real Estate | $44,300 | $44,300 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,600 | $41,600 | $23,250 |
| Mathematics | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $39,300 | $39,300 | $21,875 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,500 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $36,300 | $36,300 | $21,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $35,100 | $35,100 | $24,000 |
| Marketing | $35,000 | $35,000 | $20,722 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,600 | $33,600 | $23,250 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $33,100 | $33,100 | $24,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $24,312 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,721 |
| Sociology | $30,500 | $30,500 | $24,500 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $23,250 |
| Social Work | $29,100 | $29,100 | $25,000 |
| History | $28,900 | $28,900 | $24,919 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $28,700 | $28,700 | $25,397 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,127 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,900 | $26,900 | $23,250 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $26,000 | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $26,830 |
| Biology, General | $24,900 | $24,900 | $24,827 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24,000 | $24,000 | $25,831 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,200 | $23,200 | $23,250 |
| Area Studies | $23,100 | $23,100 | $23,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,000 | $23,000 | $26,435 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,800 | $20,800 | $23,984 |
| Anthropology | $20,600 | $20,600 | $26,500 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $20,200 | $20,200 | $26,967 |
| Music | $20,100 | $20,100 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,100 | $19,100 | $26,608 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | $18,300 | $18,300 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Richmond, VA
- Student Body
- 20,753 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,433
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,128
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500