Head-to-head comparison
Virginia Commonwealth University vs Randolph-Macon 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 Ashland, VA
Randolph-Macon College
- Net price / year
- $27,866
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,448
- Payback
- 11 yrs
Virginia Commonwealth University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,732 in 9.6 years versus 11 years at Randolph-Macon College, on median earnings of $58,128 vs $58,448 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Commonwealth University | Randolph-Macon College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,433 | $27,866 |
| Total net cost | $93,732 | $111,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,128 | $58,448 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.6 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $101,628 | $90,296 |
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 Randolph-Macon College?
Virginia Commonwealth University, at $23,433 a year after aid versus $27,866 — a gap of $4,433 a year, or $17,732 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 Randolph-Macon College graduates earn more?
Randolph-Macon College graduates report a median $58,448 ten years after entry, $320 more than the $58,128 at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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 Randolph-Macon College?
Virginia Commonwealth University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Randolph-Macon College, a difference of $5,500. 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?
70% of students finish at Randolph-Macon College, against 63% at Virginia Commonwealth 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.