University of the Virgin Islands
#5 Most Affordable HBCUs- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,681 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $7,469 A-
- 56% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 32.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $32.2 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Most Affordable HBCUs.
Every $1 spent returns $32.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $933,266.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 28% — 50% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $32.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of the Virgin Islands Matters
University of the Virgin Islands is a public university in Charlotte Amalie, VI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,518
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose University of the Virgin Islands
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 783–1030. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $7,469 a year after grants and scholarships — 56% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,681 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $16,800 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.26 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 99%, the University of the Virgin Islands is an accessible option for many students seeking higher education in a tropical setting. It suits individuals looking for a close-knit community and a focus on practical programs, particularly in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical fields, Criminal Justice, and Education. The small enrollment of around 1,518 allows for a more personalized experience, which is appealing for those who thrive in smaller academic environments.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $38,681 after ten years, which gives a sense of what life may look like post-college. While the graduation rate sits at 28%, many graduates can find opportunities in local markets, particularly in sectors tied to the university's strong programs. For those who need additional financial support, nearly half of the students receive Pell Grants, making this an important consideration for affordability.
The net price after aid is approximately $7,469, which makes it relatively affordable, especially for students from families with financial need. Graduates leave with a median debt of $16,800, which is manageable for many. This setting tends to benefit students who are motivated and proactive, ready to engage with their community and take advantage of the unique opportunities that come with living and studying in the Virgin Islands.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of the Virgin Islands is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of the Virgin Islands? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of the Virgin Islands, located in Charlotte Amalie, VI, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 938. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 938
- ACT Midpoint
- 17
- SAT Range
- 783–1030
- ACT Range
- 19–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,379
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
- Applicants
- 612
- Admitted
- 593
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of the Virgin Islands? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of the Virgin Islands is $16,557, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,469. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,578 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,800 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,957
- Out-of-State
- $16,557
- Avg Net Price
- $7,469
- Median Debt
- $16,800
- Pell Grant Rate
- 49%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,578
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,968
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,551
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,863
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of the Virgin Islands — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of the Virgin Islands Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of the Virgin Islands report median earnings of $38,681, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,360
- 8 Years
- $35,645
- 10 Years
- $38,681
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (23)
- 7%
- 100% (23)
- 7%
- 100% (23)
- 7%
- 100% (23)
- 7%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of the Virgin Islands Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of the Virgin Islands delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,469/year ($29,876 total). Graduates earn $38,681 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $963,142 in total earnings — a net gain of $933,266 (32.2× your investment). The median debt is $16,800, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $29,876
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $963,142
- Net Return
- $933,266
- ROI Multiple
- 32.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,469
- Median Debt
- $16,800
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $2,074,237
Top Programs
The fields University of the Virgin Islands awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 28% $39,121 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $37,831 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Psychology 10% $29,017 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $30,662 early-career
- Education 6% $42,932 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of the Virgin Islands's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of the Virgin Islands? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of the Virgin Islands, located in Charlotte Amalie, VI, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 938. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of the Virgin Islands? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of the Virgin Islands is $16,557, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,469. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,578 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,800 in federal student loans.
Is University of the Virgin Islands Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of the Virgin Islands report median earnings of $38,681, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is University of the Virgin Islands? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of the Virgin Islands. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of the Virgin Islands.
- Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY · Close peer30% grad $36,382 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maine at Presque IslePresque Isle, ME · Close peer45% grad $40,956 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Arkansas Community College-MorriltonMorrilton, AR · Close peer44% grad $34,924 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX · Close peer29% grad $41,871 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concord UniversityAthens, WV · Close peer41% grad $42,703 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of the Virgin Islands? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of the Virgin Islands. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note