ASU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

ASU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or VCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than VCU ($14,978 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 29.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,868 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 123.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $9,366 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at VCU than at Appalachian State University (about $14,897 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Appalachian State University (88% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 77% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($14,186 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or VCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCU and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 60 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

ASU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and VCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.