Arcadia vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA 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 Arcadia based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Arcadia vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Arcadia ($26,836 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 5.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($17,180 vs. $18,254).
• Arcadia University is 192.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $32,665 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Arcadia than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $9,501 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 144.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($34,705 vs. $14,186).

Arcadia vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia 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 Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Arcadia vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.