Head-to-head comparison
University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Washington and Lee University: 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 Lexington, VA
Washington and Lee University
- Net price / year
- $23,781
- Earnings, 10 years
- $94,810
- Payback
- 2 yrs
Washington and Lee University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,124 in 2 years versus 2.2 years at University of Virginia-Main Campus, on median earnings of $94,810 vs $86,863 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,565 | $23,781 |
| Total net cost | $86,260 | $95,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,863 | $94,810 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $683,800 | $833,876 |
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 Washington and Lee University?
University of Virginia-Main Campus, at $21,565 a year after aid versus $23,781 — a gap of $2,216 a year, or $8,864 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 Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates report a median $94,810 ten years after entry, $7,947 more than the $86,863 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. 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 Washington and Lee University?
University of Virginia-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Washington and Lee University, a difference of $2,000. 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?
96% of students finish at University of Virginia-Main Campus, against 94% at Washington and Lee University. 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.