News: Return on Investment for William & Mary Degree Remains Among State’s Best

Earning potential of graduates from CNU, ODU also higher than median for grads of colleges in Virginia

A degree from William and Mary remains a solid investment according to the 10th Annual State of the Commonwealth report issued by Old Dominion University. (Photo Credit: George Arbogust)

The 10th Annual 2024 State of the Commonwealth Report, recently issued by a consortium of research groups at Old Dominion University, explored the question of whether attending college in Virginia is a good investment in terms of cost and future earning potential. The report notes that a study by Georgetown University recently concluded that a college graduate will typically earn more than $1.2M over their lifetime. Yet the study’s authors also point out that according to the United States Department of Education, more than 1 out of 5 college graduates nationwide will make less than the median wages for high school graduates. The overall results of Virginia public and private four-year schools are comparable according to the study.

The authors of the State of the Commonwealth Report conclude that the ul…