Virginia Commonwealth University vs Appalachian State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Appalachian State University holds a 3-point ROI advantage over Virginia Commonwealth University, scoring 58/100 versus 55/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Appalachian State University comes in at $16,836 per year (net price after aid) versus $23,433 at Virginia Commonwealth University - a difference of $6,597 annually, or roughly $26,388 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates earn a median of $58,128 compared to $51,836 at Appalachian State University. The payback period is 10.1 years at Virginia Commonwealth University versus 12.3 years at Appalachian State University.
Graduates leave Appalachian State University with a median $20,231 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Commonwealth Uni... | Appalachian State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,945 | $7,579 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,109 | $25,212 |
| Net Price (avg) | $23,433 | $16,836 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $93,732 | $67,344 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,500 | $34,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,128 | $51,836 |
| Graduation Rate | 63.2% | 74.5% |
| Payback Period | 10.1 yr | 12.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $20,231 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.7% | 79.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.3% | 77.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.6% | 90.1% |
| Enrollment | 20,753 | 19,444 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1270 | 1120-1280 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Commonwealt... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $17,512 | $9,325 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $17,777 | $11,600 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $20,925 | $15,204 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,691 | $20,840 |
| $110,001+ | $32,739 | $22,382 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Commonwealt... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $86,661 | $78,943 |
| Accounting | $78,631 | $85,580 |
| Physics | $77,737 | $82,399 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $77,786 | $52,440 |
| Marketing | $68,622 | $69,439 |
| Mathematics | $68,457 | $62,271 |
| Chemistry | $67,439 | $58,329 |
| International Relations | $62,182 | $54,344 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,968 | $55,307 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $59,442 | $48,255 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,792 | $55,474 |
| Biology | $58,420 | $53,228 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $45,607 | $55,778 |
| Social Work | $55,288 | $51,012 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $53,575 | $53,543 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Commonwealt... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 54 | 54 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 61 | 47 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 53 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 65 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 70 |
| Overall ROI Score | 55 | 58 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Appalachian State University edges out Virginia Commonwealth University by 3 points (58 vs 55), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Virginia Commonwealth University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Appalachian State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.