Head-to-head comparison
Virginia Commonwealth University vs J Sargeant Reynolds Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Richmond, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Net price / year
- $23,433
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,128
- Payback
- 9.6 yrs
Option B Richmond, VA
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Net price / year
- $5,168
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,529
- Payback
- No payback
Virginia Commonwealth University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,732 in 9.6 years versus not at all at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, on median earnings of $58,128 vs $39,529 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Commonwealth University | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,433 | $5,168 |
| Total net cost | $93,732 | $20,672 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,128 | $39,529 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 9.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $101,628 | -$197,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Virginia Commonwealth University or J Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, at $5,168 a year after aid versus $23,433 — a gap of $18,265 a year, or $73,060 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 Virginia Commonwealth University or J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates earn more?
Virginia Commonwealth University graduates report a median $58,128 ten years after entry, $18,599 more than the $39,529 at J Sargeant Reynolds Community 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, Virginia Commonwealth University or J Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Virginia Commonwealth University, a difference of $11,000. 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?
63% of students finish at Virginia Commonwealth University, against 32% at J Sargeant Reynolds Community 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.