University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia · Public · 16.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 95/100 · Exceptional Value
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $21,803/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $59,512/yr |
| Average net price | $21,565/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $86,260 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $86,863 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $56,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $186 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 95.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 17,597 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
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 | $8,174 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,696 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,283 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,822 |
| $110,001+ | $35,402 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Virginia-Main Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $110,773 | B+ |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $139,095 | A |
| Biology | $70,240 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $142,041 | A |
| Psychology | $62,794 | C+ |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $82,991 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $76,243 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $55,412 | B |
| International Relations | $78,310 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $86,653 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Virginia-Main Campus is $21,803/year ($59,512/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,565/year, or roughly $86,260 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,174/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $35,402/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $186 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $86,863 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.31 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 86.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 89.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 90.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 16.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 710-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 700-760 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 32-35 |
| Enrollment | 17,597 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,428 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia-Main Campus (this school) | 95 | $21,565 | $86,863 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 97 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 95 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 94 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| William & Mary | 91 | $19,096 | $73,490 |
| Christopher Newport University | 64 | $23,015 | $60,509 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Virginia-Main Campus is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $86,260 and median graduate earnings of $86,863 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.4 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 95.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $17,500 is very manageable against $86,863 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.