Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and William & Mary are closely matched on financial return. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores 89/100 while William & Mary scores 91/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, William & Mary comes in at $19,096 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - a difference of $5,857 annually, or roughly $23,428 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median of $81,698 compared to $73,490 at William & Mary. The payback period is 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University versus 5.6 years at William & Mary.
Graduates leave William & Mary with a median $18,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.43 and 0.39 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Polytechnic Inst... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,948 | $25,914 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,764 | $51,038 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,953 | $19,096 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $99,812 | $76,384 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,400 | $47,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,698 | $73,490 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.2% | 89.4% |
| Payback Period | 5.1 yr | 5.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.43 | 0.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.9% | 86.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 88.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.8% | 34.1% |
| Enrollment | 30,923 | 7,055 |
| SAT Range | 1280-1450 | 1400-1530 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Polytechnic... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,689 | $3,106 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $11,670 | $881 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,894 | $5,916 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,835 | $16,803 |
| $110,001+ | $34,201 | $34,370 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Polytechnic... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,023 | $111,366 |
| Economics | $92,653 | $105,467 |
| Physics | $92,746 | $77,863 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $71,988 | $91,065 |
| Sociology | $63,654 | $87,655 |
| Mathematics | $67,763 | $87,170 |
| Chemistry | $73,395 | $78,270 |
| International Relations | $75,687 | $72,173 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $66,177 | $69,118 |
| English Language and Literature | $64,225 | $57,616 |
| History | $59,819 | $63,632 |
| Biology | $61,703 | $49,644 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $59,714 | $52,161 |
| Psychology | $56,365 | $59,226 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $58,652 | $29,752 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Polytechnic... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 88 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 91 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 84 | 88 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 90 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 91 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. William & Mary edges out Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by 2 points (91 vs 89), 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 Polytechnic Institute and State University
Strong 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.