University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia · Public · 16.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 95/100 · Exceptional Value
UVA scores a 95 (Exceptional Value) -- the top tier on this site -- as a flagship public research university in Charlottesville, VA with 17,597 undergraduates. The metrics: 4.4-year payback period, $56,800 median 6-year earnings ($86,863 at 10 years), 95.6% completion rate -- the highest among public flagships in this batch -- and median debt of $17,500. The in-state/out-of-state split shapes the value story: Virginia residents pay $21,803 in tuition; out-of-state students pay $59,512 -- a $37,709 gap that pushes out-of-state economics toward private university territory. UVA's 16.8% admit rate is more accessible than Berkeley and UCLA, but still firmly in the selective tier; UVA is not a safety school for students who did not gain admission to more selective universities. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering together account for the strongest ROI programs. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods -- McIntire's signature program (406 graduates, $93,565 at year one, $139,095 at four years) -- is the highest-volume, high-earning program in the dataset. Computer Engineering (58 graduates, $118,232 at year one) and Computer and Information Sciences (297 graduates, $98,067 at year one) round out the top earners. Nursing (120 graduates, $75,220 at year one) and Economics (492 graduates, $74,958 at year one) complete the high-ROI tier. UVA's 95.6% completion rate is the standout metric -- nearly every student who enrolls graduates, which suppresses the debt-without-degree risk that damages ROI at lower-completion schools.
The median graduate earns $86,863 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $8,174 per year net price. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $9,696. UVA's AccessUVA program covers 100% of demonstrated financial need for Virginia residents without loans; lower-income Virginia students who gain admission should expect grant-heavy packages. These net prices are reasonable for a school with a 95.6% completion rate and strong earnings outcomes, though they are higher than Berkeley ($5,311) and UCLA ($5,579) at comparable income levels.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $13,283 per year; the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $20,822. These represent good value for Virginia residents -- roughly $53,000-$83,000 in total net cost over four years for a school with a 4.4-year payback and median 10-year earnings of $86,863. Middle-income Virginia families in the $75k-$110k bracket should model out-of-pocket costs carefully before comparing UVA to private alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $35,402 per year -- approximately $142,000 over four years. Virginia residents at full pay see approximately half the cost of comparable private universities. Out-of-state students at $59,512 in tuition face a very different calculus: total costs can approach $250,000 over four years, at which point the economics require high-earning programs (McIntire, CS, engineering) to justify versus private alternatives with stronger financial aid.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
McIntire School of Commerce's Management Sciences program (406 graduates, $93,565 at year one, $139,095 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.196) is UVA's highest-volume, high-earning program. McIntire consistently places graduates into investment banking, consulting, and financial services firms via on-campus recruiting that rivals any business school in the country. The four-year figure ($139k) reflects the trajectory of analysts who complete two-year banking stints and move into associate roles or private equity. Median debt of $18,347 is moderate. For Virginia residents at $21,803 in-state tuition, this program's ROI is among the strongest available at any public business school.
Computer Engineering
UVA Computer Engineering (58 graduates, $118,232 at year one, $148,175 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.143) delivers earnings comparable to top private university engineering programs. Median debt of $16,875 is low relative to year-one earnings of $118k. The School of Engineering's placement into Northern Virginia's technology corridor -- one of the densest concentrations of government contractors, cybersecurity firms, and technology companies outside Silicon Valley -- explains both the high year-one figures and the strong four-year trajectory.
Computer and Information Sciences
UVA Computer and Information Sciences (297 graduates, $98,067 at year one, $142,041 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.181) feeds into the DC-Northern Virginia technology market as well as national software engineering roles. Median debt of $17,783 is manageable against year-one earnings of $98k. The four-year figure ($142k) reflects movement into senior engineering, technical lead, or product management roles. For Virginia residents paying $21,803 in-state tuition, the total cost over four years is approximately $86,000-$88,000 -- recouped in under a year at year-one earnings of $98k.
Economics
Economics at UVA (492 graduates, $74,958 at year one, $110,773 at four years, grade B+, DTE 0.253) is the highest-enrollment program outside of commerce and the sciences. Median debt of $19,000 is higher than Berkeley or Michigan economics, which reduces but does not eliminate the ROI case. The four-year figure ($110k) reflects UVA economics graduates entering finance, consulting, and government policy roles, many via DC-area employers. Students who cannot access McIntire often use economics as the finance-adjacent pathway, and the placement data supports that strategy.
Registered Nursing
UVA Nursing (120 graduates, $75,220 at year one, $86,653 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.201) operates through the UVA School of Nursing, one of the more selective nursing programs at a flagship public university. Median debt of $15,130 is lower than most nursing programs in this dataset. Year-one earnings of $75k reflect the Charlottesville and Northern Virginia hospital markets; the four-year figure ($86k) is modest by medical professional standards, suggesting graduates who stay in nursing rather than advancing into nurse practitioner or administrative roles. For students who want a nursing degree from a flagship research university at Virginia in-state prices, this program's ROI is clean.
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 |
UVA admits 16.8% of applicants, placing it in the selective-but-not-hyper-selective tier among flagship publics. SAT 710-780 Math and 700-760 Reading are the mid-50% ranges; ACT 32-35. Virginia residents have a modest admissions advantage given UVA's public mission, though the gap with out-of-state applicants has narrowed over the years. The essay and demonstrated interest in UVA specifically carry weight -- the school wants applicants who have a genuine reason to choose Charlottesville over comparable alternatives. Early Decision is not available; UVA uses a Regular Decision and Early Action structure.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UVA's Scorecard peers include William & Mary, Christopher Newport University, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgia Tech, and University of Michigan. The credible academic peers are UNC (ROI 94), GT (ROI 97), and Michigan. UVA's 95.6% completion rate is the highest in this peer group -- well above Michigan's and GT's rates. UVA's payback period (4.4 years) is longer than GT's (2.8 years) and Berkeley's (3.4 years), but GT is a specialized engineering school and Berkeley benefits from California's lower in-state tuition. UNC Chapel Hill charges $8,994 in-state versus UVA's $21,803 -- a $12,809 annual gap that North Carolina residents capture as a cost advantage. UVA's McIntire commerce program has no direct equivalent at Michigan or UNC in terms of recruiting pipeline strength.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
Admitted students cluster in the SAT 710-780 Math, 700-760 Reading range; ACT 32-35 composite. UVA's 15.5% Pell rate is lower than most flagship peers, reflecting Virginia's income demographics and UVA's historical enrollment of higher-income students. The AccessUVA program provides grant-based aid for lower-income in-state students. Students interested in commerce (McIntire), engineering, CS, or economics see the strongest earnings outcomes. McIntire is a selective internal program -- not all UVA admits can access it -- and students should investigate the competitive internal transfer process before treating commerce as an assured pathway.
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.
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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.