William & Mary vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA 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 William & Mary based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

William & Mary vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary 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 William & Mary than VCU ($19,686 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 11.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,182 vs. $18,254).
• William & Mary is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $8,969 more per year; $25,914.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at William & Mary than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $10,929 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at William & Mary (88% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William & Mary students is 63.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($23,144 vs. $14,186).

William & Mary vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary 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 William & Mary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 330 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 1400/1530; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 21.6% at VCU.

William & Mary vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($201 vs. $240).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.