Head-to-head comparison
University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Riverside College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Option A Charlottesville, VA
University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $21,565
- Earnings, 10 years
- $86,863
- Payback
- 2.2 yrs
Option B Newport News, VA
Riverside College of Health Sciences
- Net price / year
- $20,744
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,072
- Payback
- 2.3 yrs
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,260 in 2.2 years versus 2.3 years at Riverside College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $86,863 vs $66,072 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Riverside College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,565 | $20,744 |
| Total net cost | $86,260 | $41,488 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,863 | $66,072 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,787 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $683,800 | $312,752 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences, at $20,744 a year after aid versus $21,565 — a gap of $821 a year, or $44,772 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 Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates report a median $86,863 ten years after entry, $20,791 more than the $66,072 at Riverside College of Health Sciences. 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 Virginia-Main Campus or Riverside College of Health Sciences?
Riverside College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,787 in federal loans versus $17,500 at University of Virginia-Main Campus, a difference of $2,713. 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?
100% of students finish at Riverside College of Health Sciences, against 96% at University of Virginia-Main Campus. 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.