Cedar Crest College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cedar Crest College in Allentown, 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 Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cedar Crest College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cedar Crest College 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Cedar Crest College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cedar Crest College 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 Cedar Crest College than VCU ($23,691 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 26.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,406 vs. $18,254).
• Cedar Crest College is 173.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $29,369 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $6,205 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 134.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($33,323 vs. $14,186).

Cedar Crest College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cedar Crest College 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 Cedar Crest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 20 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cedar Crest College 1000/1230; 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: Cedar Crest College - Test-free; 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 Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Cedar Crest College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Cedar Crest College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cedar Crest College 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $300 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($240 vs. $286).
• More Cedar Crest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.