Staten Island vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY 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 Staten Island based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 11,033 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Staten Island vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than VCU ($6,525 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 13.7% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($18,254 vs. $21,155).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 126.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $9,455 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.8% higher at VCU than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $24,669 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at College of Staten Island CUNY (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 66.4% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($14,186 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island 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 Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 70 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; 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: Staten Island - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Staten Island (92.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Staten Island vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $9,263 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($13,987 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($144 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 49%)

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.