Dean College vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Union University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,646 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Dean College vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University than Dean College ($11,483 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 44.5% lower than at Dean College ($11,016 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 166.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $29,076 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.6% higher at Dean College than at Virginia Union University (about $29,076 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Virginia Union University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 88.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Union University students ($32,958 vs. $17,524).

Dean College vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and Dean College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Dean College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (2.88) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Dean College vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College and Virginia Union University? 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Dean College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $17,397 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($16,353 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($169 vs. $348).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 19%)

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.