Richmond, Virginia Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Richmond, Virginia shows: median public in-state tuition $16,945 (+207.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $58,128 (+7.0% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 88.6% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,000 (+48.9% vs U.S.) 29,458 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 14 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 29,458 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $16,945 (+207.4% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $58,128 (+7.0% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 88.6% (+0.7 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $23,460 (+135.4% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $20,000 (+48.9% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 48.7%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 76.0%

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Richmond, Virginia—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Virginia and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Richmond vs Virginia & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Richmond, Virginia$16,945$23,460$20,00048.7%29,458
Virginia (state median)$5,400$8,852$20,00057.6%382,545
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Richmond, Virginia vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Richmond, Virginia$58,12888.6%76.0%4.7%0.00%64.7%0.37
Virginia (state median)$54,86986.8%75.7%4.1%—74.4%0.45
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Virginia (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Richmond, Virginia$16,945$23,460$20,00048.7%29,458$58,12888.6%
Lynchburg$17,724$21,253$24,25057.4%55,015$53,40982.4%
Norfolk$16,337$19,164$17,37542.4%36,344$49,79087.0%
Blacksburg$15,948$24,953$21,67886.2%30,923$81,69890.7%
Virginia Beach$18,484$19,676$20,00041.6%21,077$44,49880.2%
Hampton$18,189$19,018$15,52457.2%7,812$59,15987.0%
Petersburg$10,043$14,175$19,16639.4%5,190$45,54384.3%
Roanoke$17,424$20,607$20,00064.6%5,047$40,07582.1%
Newport News$16,828$23,015$14,78785.8%5,042$60,50992.1%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 63.2%, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 34.2%, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.9%, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 88.6%, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 82.1%, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 most selective colleges in Richmond, Virginia (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 92.6%, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 98.0%, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $84,338, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,056, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $33,126, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $118,521, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $83,777, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $64,924, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $75,150, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,161, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $27,977, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $72,735, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $54,212, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,235, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $77,014, Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

    Private nonprofit · 591 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,128, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,275, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $169,098, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $71,948, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Richmond, Virginia (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $13,235, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $23,433, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

Top 10 colleges in Richmond, Virginia by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 85.3%, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Public · 20,753 enrolled · Richmond

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 66.6%, Virginia Union University

    Virginia Union University

    Private nonprofit · 1,203 enrolled · Richmond

In-state tuition: Richmond, Virginia vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Richmond, Virginia median in-state tuition is $16,945, +207.4% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Richmond, Virginia vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Richmond, Virginia is $20,000 (+48.9% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.

Median earnings (10 years out): Richmond, Virginia vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Richmond, Virginia center around $58,128 (+7.0% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Richmond, Virginia vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 88.6% at the median Richmond, Virginia campus (+0.7 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Richmond, Virginia median public in-state tuition is $16,945, about +207.4% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +239.4%.

Median graduate debt is $20,000 (+48.9% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Richmond, Virginia are $58,128, about +7.0% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 88.6% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+0.7 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 76.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.7% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr default 0.00% (U.S. median N/A); 3-yr repayment progress 64.7% (U.S. 73.7%).

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (92.9%), Virginia Commonwealth University (88.6%), Virginia Union University (82.1%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Richmond, Virginia is 48.7% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Richmond?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 14 campuses in Richmond, Virginia with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Richmond?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Richmond is $16,945 and median net price is $23,460. For Virginia overall, medians are $5,400 and $8,852; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Richmond?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Richmond is $58,128 vs $54,869 for Virginia and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Richmond colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Richmond is $20,000 vs $20,000 for Virginia and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Richmond?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Virginia Commonwealth University (graduation) and Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Richmond?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 14 campuses in Richmond, Virginia, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Virginia Union University; 4 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (2), Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), Baptist (1).

Sources & related