Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Randolph College #1158 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,158 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Randolph College in the 28.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Randolph College #1275 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Randolph College's composite ranking reflects its balance of access and outcomes among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's earnings beyond expectations performance stands out relative to similar colleges, particularly in its biological sciences focus.
Azimuth ranks Randolph College #1158 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Lynchburg, Virginia, Randolph College enrolls roughly 658 undergraduates. Retention is 74.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 46.4%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Randolph College delivers meaningful return on investment for its graduates. Azimuth ranks Randolph College #1275 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,158 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Randolph College in the 28.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Biological Sciences aligns with career pathways that generate solid long-term financial outcomes. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Randolph College enrolls 45.8% Pell-eligible students and 26.3% first-generation undergraduates, positioning it in the 30.2 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 52.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the pricing structure typical of selective private colleges. For families evaluating Randolph College, the combination of solid graduation rates, meaningful earnings outcomes, and a focused liberal arts curriculum offers a coherent value proposition grounded in both completion and long-term financial return.
Randolph College's published cost of attendance is $45,040, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,048; middle-income families pay around $16,290; higher-income families pay approximately $19,590. Azimuth ranks Randolph College #685 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Randolph College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The college works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college's financial aid office can provide personalized aid estimates based on individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,950, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,499; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,675, median federal debt of $26,950 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Randolph College is a strong fit for students interested in the biological sciences and liberal arts who want a small private college experience in VA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,675, placing Randolph College in the 10.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,158 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 28.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 45.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.3% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $19,590, with need-based aid available to help close the gap. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 93.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Biological Sciences and liberal arts fields over professional programs. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to VA's no-degree baseline of $34,020.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Randolph College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Randolph College's published cost of attendance is $45,040, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,048; middle-income families pay around $16,290; higher-income families pay approximately $19,590.
Azimuth ranks Randolph College #685 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Randolph College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The college works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college's financial aid office can provide personalized aid estimates based on individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,950, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,499; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,675, median federal debt of $26,950 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Randolph College earn median 4-year earnings of $50,675, placing Randolph College in the 10.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,158 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Randolph College in the 28.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Randolph College #1275 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Randolph College's concentration in Biological Sciences.
Biology, General is the largest program with 21 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,118, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 18 students with median 4-year earnings of $47,416, at 0.9x the benchmark.
Psychology, General and Sociology round out the institution's core academic portfolio, with Teacher Education also contributing to the overall earnings profile. This program mix — anchored in Biological Sciences — drives Randolph College's consistent long-term financial outcomes and positions graduates for stable career trajectories in fields with sustained employer demand.
Psychology, General
9 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
18 graduates
Biology, General
21 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
6 graduates
Fine and Studio Arts
5 graduates
Randolph College's program mix is anchored in the biological sciences and health-related fields, a signature reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity and regional positioning in Virginia. Biology, General is the largest program with 21 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Psychology, General, Sociology, and Teacher Education.
The Biological Sciences family represents 10% of degrees awarded, making it the institution's primary academic focus, with Arts at 9% and Business at 5% rounding out the portfolio. The highest-earning programs at Randolph College cluster in health and applied sciences.
Psychology, General leads with median earnings of $52,293 four years after enrollment across 9 graduates, while Kinesiology delivers median earnings of $47,416 with 18 graduates. Biology, General follows with median earnings of $44,118 across 21 graduates.
These outcomes reflect the strong labor-market demand for health professions and applied biological sciences, fields where graduates move directly into stable, well-compensated roles. Several of these programs represent grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because meaningful shares of graduates continue to medical school, graduate study, or professional training.
Biology and related life sciences often fall into this category, where early-career earnings reflect those entering the workforce directly while others pursue advanced degrees. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Randolph College's dominant program families align with national labor-market demand and wage-growth trends in health and life sciences sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whitman College Similar quality tier (#32746 ranked) | WA | 38% | $67,589 | #32746 | Compare |
Union University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32751 ranked) | TN | 60% | $53,990 | #32751 | Compare |
Oakwood University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32744 ranked) | AL | 45% | $42,488 | #32744 | Compare |
Tusculum University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32755 ranked) | TN | 72% | $44,367 | #32755 | Compare |
Hope International University Similar quality tier (#32756 ranked) | CA | 33% | $49,697 | #32756 | Compare |
