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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2022
Questions & Answers
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 2019-20 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2022.
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.
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 $21,690 and the average private school would be $24,879. You can also get information on specific Virginia schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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.
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.
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.
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 (2019-20) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $17,798 |
| Room and Board | $11,950 |
| Books | $1,384 |
| Other Expenses | $2,962 |
| Total | $34,094 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2019-20 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2022. 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 $29,581 | VA Private $51,255 |
| $0 - $30k | $12,717 | $17,993 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $13,595 | $18,490 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $16,949 | $21,361 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $21,690 | $24,879 |
| $110,001+ | $26,148 | $24,879 |
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 $-2,000-$6,000 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 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $23,628 $23,628 Room and Board $12,926 $13,356 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,041 $2,050 Total $39,595 $40,034 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $5,972 $6,038 $30,001 - $48k $7,507 $7,590 $48,001 - $75k $10,995 $11,117 $75,001 - $110k $19,472 $19,688 $110,001+ $34,020 $34,397 -
Christopher Newport University
Newport News Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $14,924 $14,924 Room and Board $11,760 $11,760 Books $1,304 $1,304 Other Expenses $3,750 $3,750 Total $31,738 $31,738 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,862 $15,862 $30,001 - $48k $15,990 $15,990 $48,001 - $75k $21,165 $21,165 $75,001 - $110k $26,574 $26,574 $110,001+ $30,067 $30,067 -
George Mason University
Fairfax Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $12,564 $13,014 Room and Board $11,946 $12,090 Books $1,278 $1,278 Other Expenses $3,378 $3,596 Total $29,166 $29,978 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,781 $15,193 $30,001 - $48k $15,979 $16,424 $48,001 - $75k $19,066 $19,597 $75,001 - $110k $22,013 $22,626 $110,001+ $24,730 $25,418 -
James Madison University
Harrisonburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $12,206 $12,330 Room and Board $10,938 $11,348 Books $1,056 $1,082 Other Expenses $3,982 $4,020 Total $28,182 $28,780 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,288 $14,591 $30,001 - $48k $14,985 $15,303 $48,001 - $75k $19,216 $19,624 $75,001 - $110k $24,471 $24,990 $110,001+ $27,196 $27,773 -
Longwood University
Farmville Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $13,520 $13,910 Room and Board $12,076 $12,076 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $2,418 $2,348 Total $29,364 $29,684 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,071 $14,224 $30,001 - $48k $14,936 $15,099 $48,001 - $75k $17,384 $17,573 $75,001 - $110k $21,691 $21,927 $110,001+ $24,602 $24,870 -
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $13,270 $13,845 Room and Board $11,500 $11,734 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,520 $3,259 Total $29,490 $30,038 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,589 $14,860 $30,001 - $48k $16,459 $16,765 $48,001 - $75k $19,728 $20,095 $75,001 - $110k $27,339 $27,847 $110,001+ $28,327 $28,853 -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $10,680 $10,800 Room and Board $12,090 $12,988 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $27,070 $28,088 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,335 $13,836 $30,001 - $48k $13,574 $14,084 $48,001 - $75k $16,954 $17,592 $75,001 - $110k $20,919 $21,706 $110,001+ $22,857 $23,717
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Radford University
Radford Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $11,350 $11,416 Room and Board $8,995 $9,612 Books $1,200 $1,260 Other Expenses $2,900 $3,046 Total $24,445 $25,334 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,420 $11,835 $30,001 - $48k $13,026 $13,500 $48,001 - $75k $16,716 $17,324 $75,001 - $110k $20,541 $21,288 $110,001+ $22,180 $22,987 -
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $10,252 $10,836 Room and Board $11,014 $11,277 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $2,410 $2,468 Total $25,276 $26,181 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,418 $8,719 $30,001 - $48k $8,822 $9,138 $48,001 - $75k $10,310 $10,679 $75,001 - $110k $12,713 $13,168 $110,001+ $16,589 $17,183 -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $13,691 $13,749 Room and Board $9,342 $9,556 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,150 $3,350 Total $27,283 $27,755 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,934 $12,140 $30,001 - $48k $14,003 $14,245 $48,001 - $75k $18,372 $18,690 $75,001 - $110k $23,999 $24,414 $110,001+ $26,368 $26,824 -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $14,596 $14,710 Room and Board $11,506 $11,504 Books $2,860 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,760 $5,283 Total $32,722 $32,997 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,507 $14,629 $30,001 - $48k $15,891 $16,025 $48,001 - $75k $18,553 $18,709 $75,001 - $110k $23,030 $23,224 $110,001+ $27,769 $28,002 -
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $17,798 $18,960 Room and Board $11,950 $12,350 Books $1,384 $1,356 Other Expenses $2,962 $2,998 Total $34,094 $35,664 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,476 $13,051 $30,001 - $48k $10,063 $10,526 $48,001 - $75k $16,019 $16,757 $75,001 - $110k $22,021 $23,035 $110,001+ $31,495 $32,945 -
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $19,118 $19,210 Room and Board $9,766 $10,060 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,150 $2,150 Total $32,034 $32,420 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,556 $10,683 $30,001 - $48k $12,429 $12,579 $48,001 - $75k $13,613 $13,777 $75,001 - $110k $18,173 $18,392 $110,001+ $27,394 $27,724 -
Virginia State University
Petersburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $9,154 $9,154 Room and Board $11,544 $11,544 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $1,675 $1,675 Total $23,673 $23,673 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,823 $15,823 $30,001 - $48k $16,672 $16,672 $48,001 - $75k $19,200 $19,200 $75,001 - $110k $20,708 $20,708 $110,001+ $22,478 $22,478
Private VA Schools Cost Breakdown
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Averett University
Danville Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,600 $36,670 Room and Board $10,560 $10,920 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,476 $2,516 Total $49,636 $51,106 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,935 $22,585 $30,001 - $48k $21,265 $21,895 $48,001 - $75k $44,714 $46,038 $75,001 - $110k $26,193 $26,969 $110,001+ $29,942 $30,829 -
Bluefield College
Bluefield Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $27,036 $27,570 Room and Board $9,356 $9,598 Books $440 $440 Other Expenses $3,300 $3,370 Total $40,132 $40,978 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,606 $23,083 $30,001 - $48k $20,520 $20,953 $48,001 - $75k $21,360 $21,810 $75,001 - $110k $24,025 $24,531 $110,001+ $24,310 $24,822 -
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $36,600 $37,720 Room and Board $12,970 $13,360 Books $1,150 $1,150 Other Expenses $2,280 $2,280 Total $53,000 $54,510 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,714 $17,190 $30,001 - $48k $18,579 $19,108 $48,001 - $75k $19,772 $20,335 $75,001 - $110k $21,623 $22,239 $110,001+ $23,279 $23,942 -
Regent University
Virginia Beach Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $18,620 $18,720 Room and Board $7,220 $7,220 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,303 $3,303 Total $30,143 $30,243 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,479 $20,547 $30,001 - $48k $20,707 $20,776 $48,001 - $75k $24,954 $25,037 $75,001 - $110k $29,646 $29,744 $110,001+ $30,136 $30,236 -
Emory & Henry College
Emory Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,100 $35,100 Room and Board $12,767 $13,450 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,550 $2,500 Total $51,617 $52,250 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,062 $11,198 $30,001 - $48k $11,842 $11,987 $48,001 - $75k $15,149 $15,335 $75,001 - $110k $21,469 $21,732 $110,001+ $27,000 $27,331 -
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $38,230 $39,220 Room and Board $11,380 $11,730 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,290 $2,550 Total $52,900 $54,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,600 $19,163 $30,001 - $48k $19,832 $20,432 $48,001 - $75k $22,330 $23,005 $75,001 - $110k $22,962 $23,657 $110,001+ $26,851 $27,663 -
Ferrum College
Ferrum Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,365 $36,695 Room and Board $11,980 $12,400 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $2,570 $3,050 Total $50,715 $52,945 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,237 $15,907 $30,001 - $48k $14,491 $15,128 $48,001 - $75k $20,870 $21,788 $75,001 - $110k $25,068 $26,170 $110,001+ $28,442 $29,693 -
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $46,890 $48,110 Room and Board $13,712 $13,876 Books $1,000 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $63,602 $65,186 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,847 $26,491 $30,001 - $48k $27,931 $28,627 $48,001 - $75k $24,999 $25,622 $75,001 - $110k $31,153 $31,929 $110,001+ $35,794 $36,685 -
Hampton University
Hampton Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $28,024 $29,312 Room and Board $12,367 $12,986 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800 Total $44,291 $46,198 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $29,889 $31,176 $30,001 - $48k $13,885 $14,483 $48,001 - $75k $23,845 $24,872 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $36,916 $38,505 -
Hollins University
Roanoke Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $40,010 $40,110 Room and Board $13,930 $14,300 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200 Total $56,940 $57,410 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,772 $14,894 $30,001 - $48k $16,657 $16,794 $48,001 - $75k $21,520 $21,698 $75,001 - $110k $22,581 $22,767 $110,001+ $24,375 $24,576 -
Liberty University
Lynchburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $22,747 $21,587 Room and Board $10,529 $11,273 Books $1,372 $1,299 Other Expenses $6,329 $6,310 Total $40,977 $40,469 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $29,786 $29,417 $30,001 - $48k $27,251 $26,913 $48,001 - $75k $27,305 $26,966 $75,001 - $110k $28,443 $28,090 $110,001+ $31,193 $30,806
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Lynchburg College
Lynchburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $40,690 $41,880 Room and Board $11,450 $12,138 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,050 $2,050 Total $55,390 $57,268 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,706 $18,306 $30,001 - $48k $18,080 $18,693 $48,001 - $75k $20,963 $21,674 $75,001 - $110k $23,778 $24,584 $110,001+ $26,516 $27,415 -
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $31,110 $31,110 Room and Board $9,730 $9,730 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $2,130 $2,130 Total $43,870 $43,870 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,899 $16,899 $30,001 - $48k $17,744 $17,744 $48,001 - $75k $17,336 $17,336 $75,001 - $110k $19,897 $19,897 $110,001+ $21,704 $21,704 -
Marymount University
Arlington Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $33,330 $34,540 Room and Board $13,575 $14,400 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,680 $2,680 Total $50,585 $52,620 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,228 $22,082 $30,001 - $48k $21,777 $22,653 $48,001 - $75k $22,571 $23,479 $75,001 - $110k $22,330 $23,228 $110,001+ $25,638 $26,669 -
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $42,550 $43,940 Room and Board $12,220 $12,680 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,500 $1,500 Total $57,470 $59,320 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,454 $21,112 $30,001 - $48k $20,027 $20,672 $48,001 - $75k $22,621 $23,349 $75,001 - $110k $25,877 $26,710 $110,001+ $28,789 $29,716 -
Randolph College
Lynchburg Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $41,131 $25,610 Room and Board $13,580 $11,000 Books $1,230 $1,280 Other Expenses $2,939 $3,082 Total $58,880 $40,972 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,038 $12,552 $30,001 - $48k $20,454 $14,233 $48,001 - $75k $24,945 $17,358 $75,001 - $110k $25,914 $18,032 $110,001+ $26,451 $18,406 -
University of Richmond
University of Richmond Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $54,690 $56,860 Room and Board $12,900 $13,430 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,060 $1,060 Total $69,750 $72,450 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,010 $8,320 $30,001 - $48k $8,606 $8,939 $48,001 - $75k $16,063 $16,685 $75,001 - $110k $22,625 $23,501 $110,001+ $45,094 $46,840 -
Roanoke College
Salem Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $45,559 $47,020 Room and Board $14,134 $14,580 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,250 $2,250 Total $62,943 $64,850 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,495 $21,116 $30,001 - $48k $20,849 $21,481 $48,001 - $75k $23,983 $24,710 $75,001 - $110k $28,042 $28,892 $110,001+ $32,099 $33,072 -
Shenandoah University
Winchester Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $33,180 $33,900 Room and Board $10,570 $10,810 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,600 $2,600 Total $47,850 $48,810 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $27,173 $27,718 $30,001 - $48k $26,784 $27,321 $48,001 - $75k $28,685 $29,260 $75,001 - $110k $31,308 $31,936 $110,001+ $33,883 $34,563 -
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $17,280 $17,696 Room and Board $7,918 $8,774 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $30,198 $31,470 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,273 $19,043 $30,001 - $48k $18,650 $19,436 $48,001 - $75k $20,081 $20,927 $75,001 - $110k $21,819 $22,738 $110,001+ $24,927 $25,977 -
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $22,020 $22,700 Room and Board $13,200 $13,500 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,850 $2,850 Total $39,370 $40,350 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,645 $20,134 $30,001 - $48k $19,052 $19,526 $48,001 - $75k $22,018 $22,566 $75,001 - $110k $25,670 $26,309 $110,001+ $29,274 $30,003 -
Virginia Union University
Richmond Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $17,861 $13,530 Room and Board $8,598 $9,358 Books $2,000 $2,000 Other Expenses $3,720 $5,000 Total $32,179 $29,888 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,941 $17,592 $30,001 - $48k $19,117 $17,756 $48,001 - $75k $21,816 $20,263 $75,001 - $110k $23,159 $21,510 $110,001+ $21,041 $19,543 -
Washington and Lee University
Lexington Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $54,830 $57,285 Room and Board $14,845 $15,810 Books $2,010 $2,220 Other Expenses $2,215 $2,285 Total $73,900 $77,600 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $205 $215 $30,001 - $48k $850 $893 $48,001 - $75k $6,505 $6,831 $75,001 - $110k $13,860 $14,554 $110,001+ $42,003 $44,106
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