Queens College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Queens College in Queens, 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 Queens College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 15,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY Queens College is located in Queens, NY (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• CUNY Queens College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY Queens College 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Queens College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Queens 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 CUNY Queens College than VCU ($5,728 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Queens College are 6.1% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($17,132 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 124.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $9,407 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159% higher at VCU than at CUNY Queens College (about $24,621 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at CUNY Queens College (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 56.6% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($14,186 vs. $9,057).

Queens College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Queens 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 Queens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at CUNY Queens College (1150) is 10 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Queens College 1010/1290; 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: Queens College - 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 Queens College (3.0).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Queens College (64.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Queens College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Queens College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Queens 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).

• The graduation rate at Queens College is the same as at Virginia Commonwealth University (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from CUNY Queens College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($113 vs. $240).
• More Queens College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.