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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023
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 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.
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 $21,303 and the average private school would be $23,584. 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 (2020-21) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $18,960 |
| Room and Board | $12,350 |
| Books | $1,356 |
| Other Expenses | $2,998 |
| Total | $35,664 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. 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 $30,169 | VA Private $51,052 |
| $0 - $30k | $12,285 | $17,434 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $12,834 | $17,358 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $16,530 | $19,453 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $21,303 | $23,584 |
| $110,001+ | $25,412 | $23,584 |
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
-
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $23,628 $23,812 Room and Board $13,356 $13,736 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,050 $2,076 Total $40,034 $40,624 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $3,579 $3,632 $30,001 - $48k $5,717 $5,801 $48,001 - $75k $10,665 $10,822 $75,001 - $110k $17,295 $17,550 $110,001+ $34,686 $35,197 -
Christopher Newport University
Newport News Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,924 $14,924 Room and Board $11,760 $11,760 Books $1,304 $1,320 Other Expenses $3,750 $3,792 Total $31,738 $31,796 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,160 $21,199 $30,001 - $48k $22,326 $22,367 $48,001 - $75k $24,953 $24,999 $75,001 - $110k $26,236 $26,284 $110,001+ $26,151 $26,199 -
George Mason University
Fairfax Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,014 $13,119 Room and Board $12,090 $12,630 Books $1,278 $1,314 Other Expenses $3,596 $3,606 Total $29,978 $30,669 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,342 $13,650 $30,001 - $48k $14,429 $14,762 $48,001 - $75k $17,359 $17,759 $75,001 - $110k $21,649 $22,148 $110,001+ $24,371 $24,933 -
James Madison University
Harrisonburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $12,330 $12,638 Room and Board $11,348 $11,550 Books $1,082 $1,098 Other Expenses $4,020 $4,002 Total $28,780 $29,288 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,588 $13,828 $30,001 - $48k $14,826 $15,088 $48,001 - $75k $18,572 $18,900 $75,001 - $110k $24,432 $24,863 $110,001+ $27,600 $28,087 -
Longwood University
Farmville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,910 $14,334 Room and Board $12,076 $13,744 Books $1,350 $1,230 Other Expenses $2,348 $2,492 Total $29,684 $31,800 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,210 $14,152 $30,001 - $48k $14,351 $15,374 $48,001 - $75k $17,431 $18,674 $75,001 - $110k $21,403 $22,929 $110,001+ $24,345 $26,080 -
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,845 $13,830 Room and Board $11,734 $12,090 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,259 $3,760 Total $30,038 $30,880 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,549 $13,929 $30,001 - $48k $15,988 $16,436 $48,001 - $75k $21,438 $22,039 $75,001 - $110k $26,855 $27,608 $110,001+ $28,642 $29,445 -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,800 $10,800 Room and Board $12,988 $12,988 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $28,088 $28,088 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,765 $13,765 $30,001 - $48k $13,740 $13,740 $48,001 - $75k $16,577 $16,577 $75,001 - $110k $20,302 $20,302 $110,001+ $22,896 $22,896
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Radford University
Radford Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $11,416 $11,542 Room and Board $9,612 $10,330 Books $1,260 $1,260 Other Expenses $3,046 $3,050 Total $25,334 $26,182 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,335 $12,748 $30,001 - $48k $13,135 $13,575 $48,001 - $75k $16,150 $16,691 $75,001 - $110k $20,301 $20,981 $110,001+ $22,013 $22,750 -
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,836 $11,162 Room and Board $11,277 $11,593 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $2,468 $2,410 Total $26,181 $26,765 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,901 $9,100 $30,001 - $48k $8,169 $8,351 $48,001 - $75k $11,167 $11,416 $75,001 - $110k $12,518 $12,797 $110,001+ $14,086 $14,400 -
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,749 $14,174 Room and Board $9,556 $10,110 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,350 $3,250 Total $27,755 $28,634 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,740 $12,112 $30,001 - $48k $13,739 $14,174 $48,001 - $75k $18,113 $18,687 $75,001 - $110k $24,065 $24,827 $110,001+ $26,726 $27,572 -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,710 $15,319 Room and Board $11,504 $12,279 Books $1,500 $1,240 Other Expenses $5,283 $5,270 Total $32,997 $34,108 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,601 $14,059 $30,001 - $48k $14,349 $14,832 $48,001 - $75k $16,689 $17,251 $75,001 - $110k $21,818 $22,553 $110,001+ $26,416 $27,305 -
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $18,960 $19,244 Room and Board $12,350 $12,660 Books $1,356 $1,396 Other Expenses $2,998 $3,014 Total $35,664 $36,314 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,987 $9,151 $30,001 - $48k $7,775 $7,917 $48,001 - $75k $14,589 $14,855 $75,001 - $110k $21,123 $21,508 $110,001+ $28,880 $29,406 -
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $19,210 $19,670 Room and Board $10,060 $10,362 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,150 $2,150 Total $32,420 $33,182 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,705 $10,957 $30,001 - $48k $6,552 $6,706 $48,001 - $75k $9,826 $10,057 $75,001 - $110k $20,401 $20,881 $110,001+ $26,778 $27,407 -
Virginia State University
Petersburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 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 $13,521 $13,521 $30,001 - $48k $14,577 $14,577 $48,001 - $75k $17,890 $17,890 $75,001 - $110k $19,849 $19,849 $110,001+ $22,173 $22,173
Private VA Schools Cost Breakdown
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Averett University
Danville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $36,670 $37,050 Room and Board $10,920 $11,140 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,516 $2,516 Total $51,106 $51,706 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,487 $19,716 $30,001 - $48k $20,098 $20,334 $48,001 - $75k $21,412 $21,663 $75,001 - $110k $25,962 $26,267 $110,001+ $27,778 $28,104 -
Bluefield College
Bluefield Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $27,570 $28,870 Room and Board $9,598 $10,677 Books $440 $440 Other Expenses $3,370 $3,370 Total $40,978 $43,357 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,476 $17,433 $30,001 - $48k $20,291 $21,469 $48,001 - $75k $19,752 $20,899 $75,001 - $110k $20,751 $21,956 $110,001+ $20,032 $21,195 -
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $37,720 $38,460 Room and Board $13,360 $13,360 Books $1,150 $1,150 Other Expenses $2,280 $2,280 Total $54,510 $55,250 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,242 $15,449 $30,001 - $48k $15,411 $15,620 $48,001 - $75k $17,458 $17,695 $75,001 - $110k $20,249 $20,524 $110,001+ $22,458 $22,763 -
Regent University
Virginia Beach Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $18,720 $18,820 Room and Board $7,220 $7,004 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,303 $3,008 Total $30,243 $29,832 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,055 $16,823 $30,001 - $48k $15,461 $15,251 $48,001 - $75k $16,343 $16,121 $75,001 - $110k $18,929 $18,672 $110,001+ $18,505 $18,254 -
Emory & Henry College
Emory Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $35,100 $35,165 Room and Board $13,450 $13,600 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,500 $2,900 Total $52,250 $52,865 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,679 $17,887 $30,001 - $48k $20,216 $20,454 $48,001 - $75k $18,341 $18,557 $75,001 - $110k $20,202 $20,440 $110,001+ $19,995 $20,230 -
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $39,220 $39,990 Room and Board $11,730 $11,900 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,550 $2,610 Total $54,500 $55,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,176 $21,565 $30,001 - $48k $17,181 $17,496 $48,001 - $75k $19,385 $19,741 $75,001 - $110k $22,314 $22,723 $110,001+ $29,072 $29,605 -
Ferrum College
Ferrum Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $36,695 $36,830 Room and Board $12,400 $12,400 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $3,050 $3,050 Total $52,945 $53,080 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,431 $19,481 $30,001 - $48k $20,829 $20,882 $48,001 - $75k $22,347 $22,404 $75,001 - $110k $23,845 $23,906 $110,001+ $29,021 $29,095 -
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $48,110 $49,504 Room and Board $13,876 $14,278 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $65,186 $66,982 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,494 $20,031 $30,001 - $48k $15,192 $15,611 $48,001 - $75k $17,889 $18,382 $75,001 - $110k $22,810 $23,438 $110,001+ $31,040 $31,895 -
Hampton University
Hampton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $29,312 $29,312 Room and Board $12,986 $12,986 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800 Total $46,198 $46,198 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $39,896 $39,896 $30,001 - $48k $43,139 $43,139 $48,001 - $75k $44,135 $44,135 $75,001 - $110k $39,337 $39,337 $110,001+ $45,439 $45,439 -
Hollins University
Roanoke Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $40,110 $40,170 Room and Board $14,300 $14,660 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200 Total $57,410 $57,830 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,448 $19,590 $30,001 - $48k $19,595 $19,738 $48,001 - $75k $21,611 $21,769 $75,001 - $110k $29,020 $29,232 $110,001+ $25,407 $25,593 -
Liberty University
Lynchburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $21,587 $22,713 Room and Board $11,273 $11,547 Books $1,299 $1,374 Other Expenses $6,310 $6,480 Total $40,469 $42,114 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $28,923 $30,099 $30,001 - $48k $26,336 $27,407 $48,001 - $75k $27,214 $28,320 $75,001 - $110k $27,143 $28,246 $110,001+ $30,358 $31,592
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Lynchburg College
Lynchburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $41,880 $33,500 Room and Board $12,138 $12,490 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,050 $1,720 Total $57,268 $48,910 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,885 $14,421 $30,001 - $48k $20,751 $17,722 $48,001 - $75k $23,487 $20,059 $75,001 - $110k $23,692 $20,234 $110,001+ $27,601 $23,573 -
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $31,110 $31,140 Room and Board $9,730 $9,730 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $2,130 $2,130 Total $43,870 $43,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,820 $14,830 $30,001 - $48k $17,115 $17,127 $48,001 - $75k $17,213 $17,225 $75,001 - $110k $21,423 $21,438 $110,001+ $20,558 $20,572 -
Marymount University
Arlington Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,540 $36,050 Room and Board $14,400 $14,686 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,680 $2,680 Total $52,620 $54,416 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,455 $26,324 $30,001 - $48k $25,324 $26,188 $48,001 - $75k $25,676 $26,552 $75,001 - $110k $26,900 $27,818 $110,001+ $27,018 $27,940 -
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $43,940 $45,150 Room and Board $12,680 $13,130 Books $1,200 $1,000 Other Expenses $1,500 $1,330 Total $59,320 $60,610 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,993 $18,384 $30,001 - $48k $19,407 $19,829 $48,001 - $75k $25,080 $25,625 $75,001 - $110k $27,648 $28,249 $110,001+ $28,857 $29,485 -
Randolph College
Lynchburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,610 $26,890 Room and Board $11,000 $11,000 Books $1,280 $1,280 Other Expenses $3,082 $3,082 Total $40,972 $42,252 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,004 $19,598 $30,001 - $48k $19,557 $20,168 $48,001 - $75k $20,167 $20,797 $75,001 - $110k $24,069 $24,821 $110,001+ $24,782 $25,556 -
University of Richmond
University of Richmond Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $56,860 $58,570 Room and Board $13,430 $13,950 Books $1,100 $1,000 Other Expenses $1,060 $1,070 Total $72,450 $74,590 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,287 $13,679 $30,001 - $48k $12,860 $13,240 $48,001 - $75k $13,389 $13,784 $75,001 - $110k $24,362 $25,082 $110,001+ $48,763 $50,203 -
Roanoke College
Salem Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $47,020 $48,330 Room and Board $14,580 $14,990 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,250 $2,250 Total $64,850 $66,570 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,243 $19,753 $30,001 - $48k $20,142 $20,676 $48,001 - $75k $23,298 $23,916 $75,001 - $110k $27,340 $28,065 $110,001+ $33,499 $34,387 -
Shenandoah University
Winchester Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $33,900 $34,490 Room and Board $10,810 $11,020 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,600 $2,600 Total $48,810 $49,610 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,992 $22,352 $30,001 - $48k $24,392 $24,792 $48,001 - $75k $27,071 $27,515 $75,001 - $110k $28,110 $28,571 $110,001+ $32,395 $32,926 -
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $17,696 $17,960 Room and Board $8,774 $8,800 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $31,470 $31,760 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,447 $19,626 $30,001 - $48k $18,401 $18,571 $48,001 - $75k $20,232 $20,418 $75,001 - $110k $21,888 $22,090 $110,001+ $24,829 $25,058 -
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $22,700 $23,080 Room and Board $13,500 $13,880 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,850 $2,850 Total $40,350 $41,110 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,609 $15,903 $30,001 - $48k $14,536 $14,810 $48,001 - $75k $18,831 $19,186 $75,001 - $110k $29,662 $30,221 $110,001+ $28,429 $28,964 -
Virginia Union University
Richmond Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,530 $13,530 Room and Board $9,358 $9,358 Books $2,000 $2,000 Other Expenses $5,000 $5,000 Total $29,888 $29,888 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,318 $16,318 $30,001 - $48k $18,117 $18,117 $48,001 - $75k $20,745 $20,745 $75,001 - $110k $21,930 $21,930 $110,001+ $21,685 $21,685 -
Washington and Lee University
Lexington Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $57,285 $59,380 Room and Board $15,810 $16,270 Books $2,220 $2,250 Other Expenses $2,285 $2,400 Total $77,600 $80,300 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $769 $796 $30,001 - $48k $743 $769 $48,001 - $75k $4,132 $4,276 $75,001 - $110k $10,395 $10,757 $110,001+ $43,946 $45,475
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