Elon vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Elon vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Elon ($26,836 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 17.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,985 vs. $18,254).
• Elon University is 177.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $30,013 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Elon than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $6,849 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Elon University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($17,867 vs. $14,186).

Elon vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 70 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Elon (3.65).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Elon vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University and Elon graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Commonwealth University and Elon graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($240 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.