Virginia Commonwealth University vs William & Mary
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
William & Mary holds a 36-point ROI advantage over Virginia Commonwealth University, scoring 91/100 versus 55/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, William & Mary comes in at $19,096 per year (net price after aid) versus $23,433 at Virginia Commonwealth University - a difference of $4,337 annually, or roughly $17,348 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, William & Mary graduates earn a median of $73,490 compared to $58,128 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The payback period is 10.1 years at Virginia Commonwealth University versus 5.6 years at William & Mary.
Graduates leave William & Mary with a median $18,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.39 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Commonwealth Uni... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,945 | $25,914 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,109 | $51,038 |
| Net Price (avg) | $23,433 | $19,096 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $93,732 | $76,384 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,500 | $47,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,128 | $73,490 |
| Graduation Rate | 63.2% | 89.4% |
| Payback Period | 10.1 yr | 5.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.7% | 86.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.3% | 88.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.6% | 34.1% |
| Enrollment | 20,753 | 7,055 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1270 | 1400-1530 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Commonwealt... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $17,512 | $3,106 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $17,777 | $881 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $20,925 | $5,916 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,691 | $16,803 |
| $110,001+ | $32,739 | $34,370 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Commonwealt... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | $53,122 | $87,655 |
| Mathematics | $68,457 | $87,170 |
| Chemistry | $67,439 | $78,270 |
| Physics | $77,737 | $77,863 |
| Philosophy | $64,402 | $75,423 |
| International Relations | $62,182 | $72,173 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,855 | $70,523 |
| Area Studies | $45,852 | $68,909 |
| History | $53,186 | $63,632 |
| Psychology | $51,440 | $59,226 |
| Biology | $58,420 | $49,644 |
| English Language and Literature | $45,844 | $57,616 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,690 | $29,752 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Commonwealt... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 54 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 61 | 91 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 88 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 65 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 90 |
| Overall ROI Score | 55 | 91 |
The Verdict
William & Mary significantly outperforms Virginia Commonwealth University on financial ROI (91 vs 55). The 36-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Virginia Commonwealth University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors William & Mary.
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Virginia Commonwealth University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
William & Mary
Exceptional 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.