Cost & ROI · 2026
Is William & Mary worth it?
Pay $19,096/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $73,490 ten years out — about 3.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
William & Mary vs Virginia avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Virginia college and the typical US college.
| Metric | William & Mary | Virginia avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $19,096 | $20,419 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $73,490 | $52,672 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,500 | $21,799 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 89.4% | 52.5% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 34.1% | 72.3% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $172,140 over four years. Most students get $23,939/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 25% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median William & Mary grad earns about $1,139,600 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about William & Mary
The average student at William & Mary pays $19,096 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $43,035 published sticker price. That is below the VA average net price of $20,419.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $73,490 — above the VA median of $52,672. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,500, roughly $201 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 25% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at William & Mary?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,096 per year. That's $23,939/yr in financial aid against the $43,035 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $76,384.
How much do William & Mary graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, William & Mary graduates earn a median of $73,490 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do William & Mary graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,500 — about $201/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 21.7% of students take federal loans.
Is William & Mary worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns William & Mary a value grade of B — top 31% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $19,096/yr, earn $73,490/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.62. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at William & Mary?
12.5% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 21.7% take federal student loans. On average, students get $23,939 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at William & Mary?
In-state tuition is $25,914 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $51,038 per year — a difference of $25,124/yr or $100,496 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at William & Mary?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $3,106. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $34,370. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →