Erskine College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Erskine College in Due West, SC with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Erskine College is located in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Erskine College 15:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Erskine College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Erskine College or VSU? 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 State University than Erskine College ($17,840 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Erskine College are 0.8% lower than at Virginia State University ($13,250 vs. $13,355).
• Erskine College is 265.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $26,667 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.1% higher at Erskine College than at Virginia State University (about $14,060 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Erskine College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 150.5% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($31,174 vs. $12,447).

Erskine College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Erskine College or VSU? 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 VSU and Erskine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Erskine College (1040) is 80 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Erskine College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Erskine College 920/1150; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Erskine College 17/23; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Erskine College - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Erskine College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Erskine College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Erskine College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Erskine College and VSU? 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).

• Erskine College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Erskine College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Erskine College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($26,750 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Erskine College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($276 vs. $305).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 28%)

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.