Head-to-head comparison
University of Richmond vs Hampden-Sydney College: which has better ROI?
Option A University of Richmond, VA
University of Richmond
- Net price / year
- $31,309
- Earnings, 10 years
- $76,178
- Payback
- 4.5 yrs
Option B Hampden-Sydney, VA
Hampden-Sydney College
- Net price / year
- $22,400
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,640
- Payback
- 4.6 yrs
University of Richmond has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,236 in 4.5 years versus 4.6 years at Hampden-Sydney College, on median earnings of $76,178 vs $67,640 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Richmond | Hampden-Sydney College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,309 | $22,400 |
| Total net cost | $125,236 | $89,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $76,178 | $67,640 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $431,124 | $296,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Richmond or Hampden-Sydney College?
Hampden-Sydney College, at $22,400 a year after aid versus $31,309 — a gap of $8,909 a year, or $35,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Richmond or Hampden-Sydney College graduates earn more?
University of Richmond graduates report a median $76,178 ten years after entry, $8,538 more than the $67,640 at Hampden-Sydney College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Richmond or Hampden-Sydney College?
University of Richmond: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Hampden-Sydney College, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at University of Richmond, against 62% at Hampden-Sydney College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.