Best Master's Degree Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at Virginia Commonwealth University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
24
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$591,033
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$34,346
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$3,599,948 | $225,432 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Dentistry.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$1,782,868 | $134,578 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$1,529,368 | $121,903 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$1,202,188 | $105,544 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$1,049,168 | $97,893 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Information Science/Studies.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$976,188 | $94,244 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$904,588 | $90,664 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Business/Commerce, General.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$730,908 | $81,980 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$610,328 | $75,951 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Medicine.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$412,988 | $66,084 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Security Science and Technology.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$389,388 | $64,904 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$358,888 | $63,379 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$249,328 | $57,901 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Urban Studies/Affairs.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$228,868 | $56,878 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$152,108 | $53,040 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$134,328 | $52,151 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$128,328 | $51,851 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Social Work.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$68,568 | $48,863 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$58,508 | $48,360 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Special Education and Teaching.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$20,948 | $46,482 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Education, General.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$16,228 | $46,246 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
+$1,808 | $45,525 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
-$108,972 | $39,986 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 64.9% |
-$312,072 | $29,831 | $34,346 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.