Longwood University
Farmville, Virginia · Public · 90.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Longwood University scores 50 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution is a mid-sized public university in Farmville, VA with a 61.2% completion rate (sub-score 62), 83.3% repayment rate (sub-score 80 - a genuine strength), and a 12.5-year payback period (sub-score 47). Net price is $19,066, median debt $25,000, and six-year earnings $36,200. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.691 (sub-score 30) is the weakest financial metric - graduates owe two-thirds of a full year's earnings on median. The repayment rate stands out positively: graduates who do complete and borrow appear to manage their debt well. The program mix is heavily liberal arts, with Psychology (51 graduates, F, DTE 1.103) and Communication (52 graduates, D) representing the highest-volume programs with weaker outcomes. Computer Science (16 graduates, $78,085 year-one) and Communication Disorders Sciences (20 graduates, B+, $59,207 at year four) and Registered Nursing (47 graduates, B, $69,962 year-one) are the strongest financial outcomes. Business Administration (109 graduates, C+, $49,213 year-one) is the largest program with meaningful scale and adequate returns. Psychology has an F grade: 51 graduates with a DTE ratio of 1.103.
Longwood University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,744/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $27,978/yr |
| Average net price | $19,066/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $76,264 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,347 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 61.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,015 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $15,744/year ($27,978/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $19,066/year, or roughly $76,264 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $11,896/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,747/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $25,000, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($36,200) and comes to 0.69, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,896 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,320 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,544 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,647 |
| $110,001+ | $26,747 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $11,896 per year at Longwood - meaningfully below the $19,066 average. Four-year cost at the bottom bracket is roughly $48,000. Against a 12.5-year payback at median earnings and an 83.3% repayment rate, the financial case is manageable for low-income students who complete in high-earning programs. The 61.2% completion rate means low-income students face real attrition risk.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,544 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $19,647. Both are at or near the average net price. The income schedule is moderate and predictable. Middle-income families in the 75001-110000 range are paying essentially the average net price - the financial case requires major-specific analysis rather than institutional-level assessment.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $26,747 - substantially above the average net price, indicating limited merit-based discounting for higher-income families at this income level. Four-year cost for higher-income families approaches $107,000.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Longwood University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,565 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,631 | D |
| Psychology | $48,942 | F |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $52,959 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $82,678 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,685 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,990 | C |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $44,066 | D |
| History | $47,957 | D |
| Sociology | $45,204 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (47 graduates) is Longwood's best financial outcome among high-volume programs: $69,962 year-one, $82,678 at year four, B grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.380 against $26,598 median debt. Monthly payments on $26,598 run roughly $282. Against a $70k first-year salary, this is manageable. At a $19,066 net price, Longwood's nursing program offers strong financial leverage relative to the cost - the B grade reflects the debt load relative to a strong earnings base.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Longwood's largest program at 109 graduates, earning $49,213 year-one and $72,565 at year four, with a C+ grade and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.508 against $25,000 median debt. The C+ reflects adequate returns at a mid-cost public university. The four-year trajectory to $73k is the meaningful signal for business graduates who build careers in commercial and government sectors in central Virginia. Business is the clearest path to median-plus outcomes at Longwood for the majority of its students.
Psychology
Psychology (51 graduates) is Longwood's highest-volume program and its worst financial outcome: $22,656 year-one, $48,942 at year four, F grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.103 against $25,000 median debt. Monthly payments on $25,000 run roughly $265. Against $22,656 year-one earnings, that payment represents 14% of gross income - significant financial stress. Most psychology graduates who do not pursue graduate education face a prolonged period of debt-relative-to-earnings pressure. Students planning for graduate school in psychology or counseling must factor in additional borrowing beyond the $25,000 median.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Longwood University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 90.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-26 |
| Enrollment | 3,015 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,246 |
At 90.2%, Longwood is near-open access. ACT 19-26 is the parallel signal. The broad admissions profile means academic preparation varies widely in the student body.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Longwood graduates who enter health care or business careers typically outperform the institutional median significantly.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood University (this school) | 50 | $19,066 | $52,347 |
| William & Mary | 91 | $19,096 | $73,490 |
| Christopher Newport University | 64 | $23,015 | $60,509 |
| Keene State College | 53 | $17,887 | $54,368 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | 52 | $17,225 | $51,629 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
Who Thrives Here
Longwood admits 90.2% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 500-580 Math and 530-630 Reading; ACT composite 19-26. Enrollment is 3,015 undergraduates in rural Farmville, Virginia. The Pell grant rate is 27.7%. Students considering Longwood should weigh the institution's repayment strength against the modest earnings outcomes at the program level.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Longwood University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $19,066 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $52,347 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 12.5 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $25,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $36,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Longwood University: Common Questions
Is Longwood University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Longwood University scores 50/100 on our ROI scale. At $19,066 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $52,347 ten years after entry, so it takes about 12.5 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Longwood University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $19,066 a year, or roughly $76,264 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Longwood University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $52,347 ten years after enrolling, roughly $10,547 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Longwood University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 12.5 years for Longwood University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Longwood University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $25,000, against average earnings of $36,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Longwood University?
The six-year graduation rate is 61.2%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.