Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Virginia State University graduates experience steady earnings growth throughout their post-graduation career trajectory. Earnings increase from $33,630 at the six-year mark to $39,572 at eight years, then reach $45,543 at ten years, representing 35.4% growth from early to mid-career periods.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Moderate debt load. Repaying $26,500 requires planning but is achievable.
Virginia State University graduates carry median debt of $26,500, with debt levels ranging from $8,675 at the 25th percentile to $31,000 at the 75th percentile. This median debt level ranks in the 17th percentile nationally, indicating debt loads above typical institutions.
Virginia State University demonstrates modestly below average return performance with a 32.6th percentile ranking nationally, reflecting mixed investment outcomes for graduates. The institution generates $7,337 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 80.5th percentile for this uplift measure and indicating strong value creation relative to student demographics and academic preparation.
Approximately 22.1% of Virginia State University graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with medium confi...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Virginia State University's strongest return outcomes concentrate in technical and specialized fields, with Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology leading at $64,437 annually and ranking #23 nationally. General Studies graduates earn $46,267, followed by Accounting Technology at $45,487, and Consumer Economics at $44,000, which ranks #9 nationally.
Psychology, General produces earnings of $42,978 with strong value scores, while most other programs cluster between $37,000-$42,000 annually. This distribution demonstrates how program selection significantly influences long-term financial return, with technical fields offering earnings premiums that justify higher education investment.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Return outcomes at Virginia State University reflect significant variation across career paths and program choices. Earnings span from $27,137 at the 25th percentile to $65,094 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.4:1 ratio that demonstrates meaningful outcome differences based on field of study and individual career trajectory.