Virginia's in-state tuition and fees among nation's highest
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The cost of in-state college tuition in Virginia has gone down in the past five years when adjusted for inflation, but it's still higher than most of the U.S., according to the College Board.
Why it matters: Salaries aren't keeping up with inflation, so Virginians are likely considering the squeeze of year-to-year tuition and fee increases when making college decisions.
The big picture: Nationwide, the price tag of getting a college degree is the greatest barrier for people who want one — so much so that some enrolled students consider dropping out, per a Gallup survey earlier this year.
- Virginians also have the fourth-highest amount of student loan debt per borrower in the country.
- And the survey showed that student loan debt forced 71% of borrowers to delay a major life event like getting married or having kids.
By the numbers: In-state tuition and fees at a public Virginia university will cost, on average, $15,660 in the 2024-25 school year, the College Board found.
- That's a 7% drop from 2019-20 when accounting for inflation, but the national average is $11,610. Only nine other states have a more expensive price tag.
- It's also more than double Florida's in-state tuition of $6,360.
Yes, but: Prices vary across Virginia's public colleges and universities for in-state students. Some examples:
- VCU: $16,720.
- JMU: $14,242.
- UVA: Can range from $19,422 to over $30,000, depending on school.
- Virginia Tech: $15,950.
Meanwhile, Virginia's average out-of-state tuition and fees are nearly $39,000 — the third-highest in the U.S.
- It's even higher at UVA, which can cost upward of $61,000 a year, per the report.
What we're watching: The adopted 2024-26 state budget includes $205.4 million to "increase access, affordability and degree production" at Virginia's public universities.