Capital University vs. SU

Should I go to Capital University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Capital University or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Capital University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Capital University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Capital University Shenandoah University
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Overview

Capital University SU
Location Columbus, OH Winchester, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 2,617 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #543 #537
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website capital.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Capital University SU
Tuition (In State) $39,900 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $39,900 $33,790
Room & Board $12,308 $11,230
Avg Net Price $24,439 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $28,469 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Capital University SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,370 2,296
Admitted 3,153 1,845
Acceptance Rate 72.2% 80.4%
Enrolled % 16.4% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.63 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 19/26
SAT Range 960/1186 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Capital University SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Capital University SU
Graduation Rate 61% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,300 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Capital University SU
% Men 40% 32%
% Women 60% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 75% 59%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 13%

Students

Capital University SU
% In-State 94% 52%
% Out-of-State 4% 48%

Campus

Capital University SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than Capital University based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 2,617 students)

Capital University vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Capital University or SU?

  • Capital University is 18.1% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.1% higher at Capital University than Shenandoah University ($39,900.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Capital University than SU ($24,439 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 9.6% lower than costs at Capital University ($11,230 vs. $12,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Capital University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 21.3% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($28,469 vs. $23,467)

Capital University vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Capital University or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or Capital University .

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 128 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Capital University (3.63)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Capital University (72.2%)

Capital University vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Capital University or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and Capital University.

  • The graduation rate at Capital University is higher than Shenandoah University (61% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Capital University graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $47,300)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • SU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/