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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2021
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2018-19 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2021.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
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How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $21,446 and the average private school would be $23,574. You can also get information on specific Virginia schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
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Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
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What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
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The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- College savings and investments
- Payments from current income
- Loans
- Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work
Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
| Total Cost at University of Virginia (2018-19) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $16,853 |
| Room and Board | $11,220 |
| Books | $1,320 |
| Other Expenses | $2,820 |
| Total | $32,213 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2018-19 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2021. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
| College Total Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Family Income | VA Public $29,011 | VA Private $49,748 |
| $0 - $30k | $12,418 | $17,406 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $13,306 | $17,697 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $16,981 | $20,146 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $21,446 | $23,574 |
| $110,001+ | $26,071 | $28,821 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Virginia public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $3,000-$5,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Virginia. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public VA Schools Cost Breakdown
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College of William and Mary
Williamsburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $23,400 $23,628 Room and Board $12,236 $12,926 Books $1,425 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,160 $2,041 Total $39,221 $39,595 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $4,711 $4,756 $30,001 - $48k $4,963 $5,010 $48,001 - $75k $11,721 $11,833 $75,001 - $110k $20,416 $20,611 $110,001+ $33,425 $33,744 -
Christopher Newport University
Newport News Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $14,754 $14,924 Room and Board $11,460 $11,760 Books $1,268 $1,304 Other Expenses $3,620 $3,750 Total $31,102 $31,738 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,529 $16,867 $30,001 - $48k $17,522 $17,880 $48,001 - $75k $22,134 $22,587 $75,001 - $110k $26,659 $27,204 $110,001+ $29,094 $29,689 -
George Mason University
Fairfax Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $12,462 $12,564 Room and Board $12,426 $11,946 Books $1,200 $1,278 Other Expenses $4,196 $3,378 Total $30,284 $29,166 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,204 $15,606 $30,001 - $48k $17,060 $16,430 $48,001 - $75k $20,468 $19,712 $75,001 - $110k $23,266 $22,407 $110,001+ $25,480 $24,539 -
James Madison University
Harrisonburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $12,016 $12,206 Room and Board $10,512 $10,938 Books $1,038 $1,056 Other Expenses $3,790 $3,982 Total $27,356 $28,182 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,196 $14,625 $30,001 - $48k $15,726 $16,201 $48,001 - $75k $19,843 $20,442 $75,001 - $110k $24,274 $25,007 $110,001+ $26,536 $27,337 -
Longwood University
Farmville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $13,340 $13,520 Room and Board $10,890 $12,076 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $1,750 $2,418 Total $27,330 $29,364 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,704 $15,798 $30,001 - $48k $14,433 $15,507 $48,001 - $75k $18,294 $19,656 $75,001 - $110k $22,018 $23,657 $110,001+ $24,243 $26,047 -
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $12,714 $13,270 Room and Board $11,218 $11,500 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,494 $3,520 Total $28,626 $29,490 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,988 $13,380 $30,001 - $48k $14,997 $15,450 $48,001 - $75k $19,203 $19,783 $75,001 - $110k $26,181 $26,971 $110,001+ $27,127 $27,946 -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $10,560 $10,680 Room and Board $11,620 $12,090 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,976 $3,000 Total $26,456 $27,070 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,017 $12,296 $30,001 - $48k $13,747 $14,066 $48,001 - $75k $16,958 $17,352 $75,001 - $110k $20,208 $20,677 $110,001+ $22,293 $22,810
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Radford University
Radford Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $11,210 $11,350 Room and Board $8,778 $8,995 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,900 $2,900 Total $24,088 $24,445 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,071 $12,250 $30,001 - $48k $12,355 $12,538 $48,001 - $75k $15,546 $15,776 $75,001 - $110k $19,604 $19,895 $110,001+ $22,583 $22,918 -
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $10,119 $10,252 Room and Board $10,438 $11,014 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $2,439 $2,410 Total $24,596 $25,276 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,266 $9,522 $30,001 - $48k $9,227 $9,482 $48,001 - $75k $9,695 $9,963 $75,001 - $110k $11,527 $11,846 $110,001+ $16,608 $17,067 -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $13,620 $13,691 Room and Board $8,934 $9,342 Books $1,150 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,130 $3,150 Total $26,834 $27,283 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,138 $11,324 $30,001 - $48k $14,010 $14,244 $48,001 - $75k $19,067 $19,386 $75,001 - $110k $23,808 $24,206 $110,001+ $26,200 $26,638 -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $14,493 $14,596 Room and Board $11,506 $11,506 Books $2,860 $2,860 Other Expenses $3,182 $3,760 Total $32,041 $32,722 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,768 $17,124 $30,001 - $48k $17,529 $17,902 $48,001 - $75k $20,868 $21,312 $75,001 - $110k $24,684 $25,209 $110,001+ $28,155 $28,753 -
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $17,653 $17,798 Room and Board $11,590 $11,950 Books $1,350 $1,384 Other Expenses $2,900 $2,962 Total $33,493 $34,094 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,882 $9,041 $30,001 - $48k $11,696 $11,906 $48,001 - $75k $14,671 $14,934 $75,001 - $110k $21,646 $22,034 $110,001+ $29,877 $30,413 -
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $18,862 $19,118 Room and Board $9,482 $9,766 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,150 $2,150 Total $31,494 $32,034 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,789 $8,940 $30,001 - $48k $6,604 $6,717 $48,001 - $75k $10,362 $10,540 $75,001 - $110k $15,615 $15,883 $110,001+ $21,822 $22,196 -
Virginia State University
Petersburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $9,056 $9,154 Room and Board $11,208 $11,544 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $1,675 $1,675 Total $23,239 $23,673 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,586 $15,877 $30,001 - $48k $16,410 $16,716 $48,001 - $75k $18,899 $19,252 $75,001 - $110k $20,339 $20,719 $110,001+ $22,089 $22,502
Private VA Schools Cost Breakdown
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Averett University
Danville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $34,520 $35,600 Room and Board $9,976 $10,560 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,422 $2,476 Total $47,918 $49,636 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,385 $22,152 $30,001 - $48k $18,417 $19,077 $48,001 - $75k $21,481 $22,251 $75,001 - $110k $25,357 $26,266 $110,001+ $29,184 $30,230 -
Bluefield College
Bluefield Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $26,060 $27,036 Room and Board $9,024 $9,356 Books $460 $440 Other Expenses $3,300 $3,300 Total $38,844 $40,132 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,112 $23,878 $30,001 - $48k $20,443 $21,121 $48,001 - $75k $25,207 $26,043 $75,001 - $110k $23,313 $24,086 $110,001+ $23,793 $24,582 -
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $35,160 $36,600 Room and Board $12,720 $12,970 Books $1,150 $1,150 Other Expenses $2,280 $2,280 Total $51,310 $53,000 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,220 $14,688 $30,001 - $48k $14,634 $15,116 $48,001 - $75k $16,843 $17,398 $75,001 - $110k $19,249 $19,883 $110,001+ $22,003 $22,728 -
Regent University
Virginia Beach Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $18,380 $18,620 Room and Board $7,080 $7,220 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,303 $3,303 Total $29,763 $30,143 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,584 $15,783 $30,001 - $48k $14,525 $14,710 $48,001 - $75k $15,865 $16,068 $75,001 - $110k $15,510 $15,708 $110,001+ $14,760 $14,948 -
Emory & Henry College
Emory Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $35,100 $35,100 Room and Board $12,100 $12,767 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,400 $2,550 Total $50,800 $51,617 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,366 $13,581 $30,001 - $48k $14,583 $14,818 $48,001 - $75k $17,679 $17,963 $75,001 - $110k $22,188 $22,545 $110,001+ $26,224 $26,646 -
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $37,110 $38,230 Room and Board $11,160 $11,380 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,230 $2,290 Total $51,500 $52,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,935 $23,558 $30,001 - $48k $19,512 $20,042 $48,001 - $75k $21,128 $21,702 $75,001 - $110k $24,096 $24,751 $110,001+ $27,401 $28,146 -
Ferrum College
Ferrum Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $34,175 $35,365 Room and Board $11,875 $11,980 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $1,680 $2,570 Total $48,530 $50,715 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,806 $20,698 $30,001 - $48k $19,545 $20,425 $48,001 - $75k $22,197 $23,196 $75,001 - $110k $26,561 $27,757 $110,001+ $27,542 $28,782 -
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $45,746 $46,890 Room and Board $13,558 $13,712 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $62,304 $63,602 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,836 $24,333 $30,001 - $48k $25,858 $26,397 $48,001 - $75k $27,862 $28,442 $75,001 - $110k $30,604 $31,242 $110,001+ $34,580 $35,300 -
Hampton University
Hampton Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $26,702 $28,024 Room and Board $11,778 $12,367 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800 Total $42,380 $44,291 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $29,650 $30,987 $30,001 - $48k $25,609 $26,764 $48,001 - $75k $34,429 $35,981 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $39,042 $40,802 -
Hollins University
Roanoke Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $39,035 $40,010 Room and Board $13,620 $13,930 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200 Total $55,655 $56,940 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,824 $16,189 $30,001 - $48k $17,529 $17,934 $48,001 - $75k $20,908 $21,391 $75,001 - $110k $23,052 $23,584 $110,001+ $24,435 $24,999 -
Liberty University
Lynchburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $22,584 $22,747 Room and Board $10,217 $10,529 Books $1,251 $1,372 Other Expenses $6,023 $6,329 Total $40,075 $40,977 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $27,896 $28,524 $30,001 - $48k $26,124 $26,712 $48,001 - $75k $27,831 $28,457 $75,001 - $110k $29,843 $30,515 $110,001+ $30,767 $31,459
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Lynchburg College
Lynchburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $39,530 $40,690 Room and Board $10,800 $11,450 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,350 $2,050 Total $52,880 $55,390 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,128 $20,036 $30,001 - $48k $21,307 $22,318 $48,001 - $75k $20,403 $21,371 $75,001 - $110k $23,696 $24,821 $110,001+ $28,421 $29,770 -
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $31,110 $31,110 Room and Board $9,410 $9,730 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $2,130 $2,130 Total $43,550 $43,870 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,218 $15,330 $30,001 - $48k $14,502 $14,609 $48,001 - $75k $17,892 $18,023 $75,001 - $110k $19,766 $19,911 $110,001+ $22,240 $22,403 -
Marymount University
Arlington Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $31,926 $33,330 Room and Board $13,190 $13,575 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,650 $2,680 Total $50,766 $50,585 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,212 $22,133 $30,001 - $48k $22,618 $22,537 $48,001 - $75k $26,627 $26,532 $75,001 - $110k $26,472 $26,378 $110,001+ $30,219 $30,111 -
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $41,300 $42,550 Room and Board $11,860 $12,220 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,500 $1,500 Total $55,860 $57,470 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,012 $23,675 $30,001 - $48k $20,105 $20,684 $48,001 - $75k $21,529 $22,150 $75,001 - $110k $26,389 $27,150 $110,001+ $30,076 $30,943 -
Randolph College
Lynchburg Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $39,585 $41,131 Room and Board $13,580 $13,580 Books $1,230 $1,230 Other Expenses $2,720 $2,939 Total $57,115 $58,880 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,205 $16,706 $30,001 - $48k $18,988 $19,575 $48,001 - $75k $22,198 $22,884 $75,001 - $110k $24,026 $24,768 $110,001+ $23,469 $24,194 -
University of Richmond
University of Richmond Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $52,610 $54,690 Room and Board $12,250 $12,900 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,060 $1,060 Total $67,020 $69,750 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,112 $9,483 $30,001 - $48k $9,131 $9,503 $48,001 - $75k $12,923 $13,449 $75,001 - $110k $24,206 $25,192 $110,001+ $46,570 $48,467 -
Roanoke College
Salem Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $44,155 $45,559 Room and Board $13,690 $14,134 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,250 $2,250 Total $61,095 $62,943 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,473 $18,002 $30,001 - $48k $19,874 $20,475 $48,001 - $75k $21,513 $22,164 $75,001 - $110k $26,506 $27,308 $110,001+ $30,432 $31,353 -
Shenandoah University
Winchester Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $32,530 $33,180 Room and Board $10,370 $10,570 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,600 $2,600 Total $47,000 $47,850 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,591 $26,054 $30,001 - $48k $24,514 $24,957 $48,001 - $75k $26,518 $26,998 $75,001 - $110k $27,566 $28,065 $110,001+ $28,324 $28,836 -
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $16,495 $17,280 Room and Board $6,766 $7,918 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $28,261 $30,198 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,192 $17,302 $30,001 - $48k $15,787 $16,869 $48,001 - $75k $17,791 $19,010 $75,001 - $110k $20,900 $22,332 $110,001+ $22,660 $24,213 -
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $21,000 $22,020 Room and Board $13,000 $13,200 Books $1,250 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,850 $2,850 Total $38,100 $39,370 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,529 $21,213 $30,001 - $48k $21,117 $21,821 $48,001 - $75k $23,366 $24,145 $75,001 - $110k $26,300 $27,177 $110,001+ $30,569 $31,588 -
Virginia Union University
Richmond Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $17,748 $17,861 Room and Board $8,598 $8,598 Books $1,500 $2,000 Other Expenses $3,512 $3,720 Total $31,358 $32,179 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,636 $21,176 $30,001 - $48k $20,651 $21,192 $48,001 - $75k $24,647 $25,292 $75,001 - $110k $23,353 $23,964 $110,001+ $27,322 $28,037 -
Washington and Lee University
Lexington Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $52,455 $54,830 Room and Board $13,925 $14,845 Books $1,950 $2,010 Other Expenses $2,170 $2,215 Total $70,500 $73,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $1,612 $1,690 $30,001 - $48k $2,039 $2,137 $48,001 - $75k $4,718 $4,946 $75,001 - $110k $13,920 $14,591 $110,001+ $38,630 $40,493
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