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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2020
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket. Net cost is the total cost of attendance minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Loans of any kind are not included. Figures are based on data from the 2017-18 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2020.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for 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 $21,163 and the average private school would be $23,970. 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 seemed 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 our Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents, which describes how you and your student can win scholarships for college and save money!)
- tax planning
- student work
Net Price:
Net price is the total cost of attendance minus the average amount of government grants and institutional scholarships awarded. 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 (2017-18) | |
|---|---|
| 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 2017-18 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2020. 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 $28,042 | VA Private $49,190 |
| $0 - $30k | $11,850 | $18,138 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $13,076 | $18,545 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $16,749 | $20,561 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $21,163 | $23,970 |
| $110,001+ | $25,590 | $29,140 |
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-$7,000 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 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $22,044 $23,400 Room and Board $11,799 $12,236 Books $1,400 $1,425 Other Expenses $2,143 $2,160 Total $37,386 $39,221 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $997 $1,046 $30,001 - $48k $3,001 $3,148 $48,001 - $75k $11,877 $12,460 $75,001 - $110k $19,171 $20,112 $110,001+ $30,422 $31,915 -
Christopher Newport University
Newport News Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $13,654 $14,754 Room and Board $11,224 $11,460 Books $1,244 $1,268 Other Expenses $3,558 $3,620 Total $29,680 $31,102 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,825 $17,631 $30,001 - $48k $17,284 $18,112 $48,001 - $75k $20,581 $21,567 $75,001 - $110k $24,582 $25,760 $110,001+ $28,085 $29,431 -
George Mason University
Fairfax Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,924 $12,462 Room and Board $12,028 $12,426 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,074 $4,196 Total $29,226 $30,284 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,428 $15,987 $30,001 - $48k $16,514 $17,112 $48,001 - $75k $19,627 $20,338 $75,001 - $110k $22,604 $23,422 $110,001+ $24,877 $25,778 -
James Madison University
Harrisonburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,830 $12,016 Room and Board $10,112 $10,512 Books $1,016 $1,038 Other Expenses $4,164 $3,790 Total $26,122 $27,356 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,426 $14,060 $30,001 - $48k $15,052 $15,763 $48,001 - $75k $18,412 $19,282 $75,001 - $110k $24,050 $25,186 $110,001+ $25,676 $26,889 -
Longwood University
Farmville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,720 $13,340 Room and Board $10,420 $10,890 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $2,418 $1,750 Total $26,908 $27,330 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,907 $14,125 $30,001 - $48k $15,447 $15,689 $48,001 - $75k $17,773 $18,052 $75,001 - $110k $22,134 $22,481 $110,001+ $24,390 $24,773 -
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,128 $12,714 Room and Board $10,911 $11,218 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,231 $3,494 Total $27,470 $28,626 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,505 $13,031 $30,001 - $48k $14,190 $14,787 $48,001 - $75k $20,761 $21,635 $75,001 - $110k $25,521 $26,595 $110,001+ $26,308 $27,415 -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,050 $10,560 Room and Board $11,268 $11,620 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,976 $2,976 Total $25,594 $26,456 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,331 $11,713 $30,001 - $48k $13,304 $13,752 $48,001 - $75k $16,581 $17,139 $75,001 - $110k $19,626 $20,287 $110,001+ $21,371 $22,091
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Radford University
Radford Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,627 $11,210 Room and Board $8,522 $8,778 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,900 $2,900 Total $23,249 $24,088 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,309 $13,789 $30,001 - $48k $14,984 $15,525 $48,001 - $75k $17,623 $18,259 $75,001 - $110k $20,672 $21,418 $110,001+ $22,351 $23,158 -
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,825 $10,119 Room and Board $10,314 $10,438 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $2,410 $2,439 Total $24,149 $24,596 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,034 $8,183 $30,001 - $48k $8,069 $8,218 $48,001 - $75k $10,376 $10,568 $75,001 - $110k $11,596 $11,811 $110,001+ $13,792 $14,047 -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $13,230 $13,620 Room and Board $8,920 $8,934 Books $1,150 $1,150 Other Expenses $2,940 $3,130 Total $26,240 $26,834 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,401 $12,682 $30,001 - $48k $13,925 $14,240 $48,001 - $75k $18,296 $18,710 $75,001 - $110k $23,429 $23,959 $110,001+ $25,516 $26,094 -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $13,624 $14,493 Room and Board $11,506 $11,506 Books $2,860 $2,860 Other Expenses $3,182 $3,182 Total $31,172 $32,041 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,264 $14,662 $30,001 - $48k $18,411 $18,924 $48,001 - $75k $21,559 $22,160 $75,001 - $110k $24,597 $25,283 $110,001+ $27,310 $28,071 -
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $16,853 $17,653 Room and Board $11,220 $11,590 Books $1,320 $1,350 Other Expenses $2,820 $2,900 Total $32,213 $33,493 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,022 $8,341 $30,001 - $48k $11,198 $11,643 $48,001 - $75k $13,699 $14,243 $75,001 - $110k $22,028 $22,903 $110,001+ $29,598 $30,774 -
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $18,214 $18,862 Room and Board $9,236 $9,482 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,150 $2,150 Total $30,600 $31,494 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,016 $11,338 $30,001 - $48k $6,357 $6,543 $48,001 - $75k $9,389 $9,663 $75,001 - $110k $16,757 $17,247 $110,001+ $25,444 $26,187 -
Virginia State University
Petersburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,726 $9,056 Room and Board $10,880 $11,208 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $1,675 $1,675 Total $22,581 $23,239 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,436 $14,857 $30,001 - $48k $15,330 $15,777 $48,001 - $75k $17,936 $18,459 $75,001 - $110k $19,511 $20,080 $110,001+ $21,321 $21,942
Private VA Schools Cost Breakdown
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Averett University
Danville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,350 $34,520 Room and Board $9,684 $9,976 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,370 $2,422 Total $46,404 $47,918 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,354 $21,018 $30,001 - $48k $5,585 $5,767 $48,001 - $75k $22,915 $23,663 $75,001 - $110k $24,418 $25,215 $110,001+ $27,807 $28,714 -
Bluefield College
Bluefield Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $24,800 $26,060 Room and Board $8,843 $9,024 Books $440 $460 Other Expenses $3,300 $3,300 Total $37,383 $38,844 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,535 $23,416 $30,001 - $48k $21,573 $22,416 $48,001 - $75k $20,010 $20,792 $75,001 - $110k $23,165 $24,070 $110,001+ $22,061 $22,923 -
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,820 $35,160 Room and Board $12,440 $12,720 Books $1,150 $1,150 Other Expenses $2,280 $2,280 Total $49,690 $51,310 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,240 $17,802 $30,001 - $48k $17,038 $17,593 $48,001 - $75k $19,062 $19,683 $75,001 - $110k $20,388 $21,053 $110,001+ $22,973 $23,722 -
Regent University
Virginia Beach Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $17,288 $18,380 Room and Board $7,128 $7,080 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,743 $3,303 Total $29,159 $29,763 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,740 $18,107 $30,001 - $48k $15,984 $16,315 $48,001 - $75k $17,685 $18,051 $75,001 - $110k $21,117 $21,554 $110,001+ $19,995 $20,409 -
Emory & Henry College
Emory Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,700 $35,100 Room and Board $11,200 $12,100 Books $1,000 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,400 Total $48,100 $50,800 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,110 $14,902 $30,001 - $48k $14,947 $15,786 $48,001 - $75k $16,526 $17,454 $75,001 - $110k $21,650 $22,865 $110,001+ $24,762 $26,152 -
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $35,800 $37,110 Room and Board $11,000 $11,160 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $1,800 $2,230 Total $49,600 $51,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,079 $22,925 $30,001 - $48k $23,749 $24,659 $48,001 - $75k $23,179 $24,067 $75,001 - $110k $25,366 $26,338 $110,001+ $27,286 $28,331 -
Ferrum College
Ferrum Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,025 $34,175 Room and Board $11,060 $11,875 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $1,680 $1,680 Total $46,565 $48,530 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,577 $20,403 $30,001 - $48k $20,248 $21,102 $48,001 - $75k $21,752 $22,670 $75,001 - $110k $26,445 $27,561 $110,001+ $26,634 $27,758 -
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $43,940 $45,746 Room and Board $13,420 $13,558 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $60,360 $62,304 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $26,590 $27,446 $30,001 - $48k $26,871 $27,736 $48,001 - $75k $27,397 $28,279 $75,001 - $110k $30,579 $31,564 $110,001+ $32,780 $33,836 -
Hampton University
Hampton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,441 $26,702 Room and Board $11,218 $11,778 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800 Total $40,559 $42,380 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $28,685 $29,973 $30,001 - $48k $26,394 $27,579 $48,001 - $75k $25,765 $26,922 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $35,579 $37,176 -
Hollins University
Roanoke Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $38,285 $39,035 Room and Board $13,120 $13,620 Books $600 $800 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200 Total $54,205 $55,655 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,012 $17,467 $30,001 - $48k $18,283 $18,772 $48,001 - $75k $21,146 $21,712 $75,001 - $110k $22,012 $22,601 $110,001+ $23,488 $24,116 -
Liberty University
Lynchburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,310 $22,584 Room and Board $9,619 $10,217 Books $1,486 $1,251 Other Expenses $5,949 $6,023 Total $38,364 $40,075 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $26,570 $27,755 $30,001 - $48k $24,360 $25,446 $48,001 - $75k $26,872 $28,070 $75,001 - $110k $28,881 $30,169 $110,001+ $30,254 $31,603
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Lynchburg College
Lynchburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $37,690 $39,530 Room and Board $10,680 $10,800 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,120 $1,350 Total $51,690 $52,880 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,214 $19,656 $30,001 - $48k $20,043 $20,504 $48,001 - $75k $22,234 $22,746 $75,001 - $110k $25,524 $26,112 $110,001+ $27,039 $27,661 -
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $31,085 $31,110 Room and Board $9,410 $9,410 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $2,130 $2,130 Total $43,525 $43,550 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,933 $15,942 $30,001 - $48k $14,514 $14,522 $48,001 - $75k $14,912 $14,921 $75,001 - $110k $19,534 $19,545 $110,001+ $21,943 $21,956 -
Marymount University
Arlington Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $30,876 $31,926 Room and Board $12,805 $13,190 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,946 $4,650 Total $48,627 $50,766 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,078 $23,049 $30,001 - $48k $22,036 $23,005 $48,001 - $75k $24,843 $25,936 $75,001 - $110k $26,761 $27,938 $110,001+ $27,899 $29,126 -
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $40,000 $41,300 Room and Board $11,480 $11,860 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,500 $1,500 Total $54,180 $55,860 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,586 $22,255 $30,001 - $48k $19,470 $20,074 $48,001 - $75k $22,869 $23,578 $75,001 - $110k $28,413 $29,294 $110,001+ $29,430 $30,343 -
Randolph College
Lynchburg Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $38,200 $39,585 Room and Board $13,070 $13,580 Books $1,100 $1,230 Other Expenses $1,900 $2,720 Total $54,270 $57,115 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,871 $20,913 $30,001 - $48k $20,410 $21,480 $48,001 - $75k $24,232 $25,502 $75,001 - $110k $25,449 $26,783 $110,001+ $28,608 $30,108 -
University of Richmond
University of Richmond Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $50,910 $52,610 Room and Board $11,820 $12,250 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,060 $1,060 Total $64,890 $67,020 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,787 $10,108 $30,001 - $48k $10,672 $11,022 $48,001 - $75k $13,180 $13,613 $75,001 - $110k $22,617 $23,359 $110,001+ $44,857 $46,329 -
Roanoke College
Salem Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $42,819 $44,155 Room and Board $13,258 $13,690 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,250 $2,250 Total $59,327 $61,095 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,725 $21,343 $30,001 - $48k $22,843 $23,524 $48,001 - $75k $24,085 $24,803 $75,001 - $110k $26,566 $27,358 $110,001+ $29,492 $30,371 -
Shenandoah University
Winchester Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $31,920 $32,530 Room and Board $10,180 $10,370 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,600 $2,600 Total $46,200 $47,000 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,851 $26,299 $30,001 - $48k $26,213 $26,667 $48,001 - $75k $26,734 $27,197 $75,001 - $110k $28,732 $29,230 $110,001+ $31,689 $32,238 -
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $15,900 $16,495 Room and Board $6,310 $6,766 Books $1,200 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $26,910 $28,261 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,279 $16,046 $30,001 - $48k $15,912 $16,711 $48,001 - $75k $15,941 $16,741 $75,001 - $110k $19,323 $20,293 $110,001+ $22,057 $23,164 -
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $37,155 $21,000 Room and Board $12,900 $13,000 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,850 $2,850 Total $54,155 $38,100 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,619 $13,099 $30,001 - $48k $20,259 $14,253 $48,001 - $75k $21,791 $15,331 $75,001 - $110k $24,666 $17,353 $110,001+ $26,387 $18,564 -
Virginia Union University
Richmond Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $17,448 $17,748 Room and Board $8,512 $8,598 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,436 $3,512 Total $30,896 $31,358 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,384 $20,689 $30,001 - $48k $22,997 $23,341 $48,001 - $75k $23,861 $24,218 $75,001 - $110k $24,725 $25,095 $110,001+ $26,148 $26,539 -
Washington and Lee University
Lexington Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $50,170 $52,455 Room and Board $13,110 $13,925 Books $1,800 $1,950 Other Expenses $2,070 $2,170 Total $67,150 $70,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $706 $741 $30,001 - $48k $1,920 $2,016 $48,001 - $75k $7,039 $7,390 $75,001 - $110k $14,439 $15,159 $110,001+ $41,186 $43,241
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