FIU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida International University in Miami, FL with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida International University is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida International University is located in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Florida International University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida International University 24:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

FIU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU 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 Florida International University than VCU ($11,178 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 28.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,080 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 158.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIU (about $10,380 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $6,565.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.5% higher at VCU than at Florida International University (about $21,145 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $18,964.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Florida International University (88% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($14,186 vs. $10,350).

FIU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU 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 FIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida International University (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at FIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 1070/1260; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 21/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIU - Required; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FIU Apr 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than FIU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at FIU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

FIU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIU 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 Florida International University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida International University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida International University graduates have a $6,022 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($17,228 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, FIU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($178 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.