FIU vs. VCU

Should I go to Florida International University or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FIU or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Florida International University vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Florida International University Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Florida International University Virginia Commonwealth University
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Overview

FIU VCU
Location Miami, FL Richmond, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 55,609 28,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #622 #442
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fiu.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

FIU VCU
Tuition (In State) $4,721 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $16,529 $33,726
Room & Board $11,600 $12,279
Avg Net Price $9,881 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $11,087 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 83%

Admission

FIU VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,343 18,242
Admitted 11,075 16,600
Acceptance Rate 63.9% 91%
Enrolled % 39.9% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.75
Typical High School Grades A/A+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/26 22/30
SAT Range 1060/1250 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Jan 18, 2025

Academics

FIU VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 24:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

FIU VCU
Graduation Rate 43% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,228 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $178 $240

Diversity

FIU VCU
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 9% 50%
% Black 12% 18%
% Hispanic 67% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

FIU VCU
% In-State 94% 92%
% Out-of-State 4% 6%

Campus

FIU VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida International University is larger than than VCU based on total student enrollment (55,609 students vs. 28,082 students)

FIU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU or VCU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 163.9% more expensive to attend than FIU for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $4,721.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104% higher at VCU than Florida International University ($33,726.00 vs. $16,529.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida International University than VCU ($9,881 vs. $21,294)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 5.9% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,600 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida International University than Virginia Commonwealth University (89% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 13.5% larger than aid received Florida International University ($12,583 vs. $11,087)

FIU vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or FIU .

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 7 points higher than at FIU (1090)
  • Incoming FIU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at VCU (24)
  • 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 (91%) than FIU (63.9%)

FIU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FIU or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and FIU.

  • The graduation rate at VCU is higher than Florida International University (53% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Florida International University earn on average $2,400 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($49,900 vs. $47,500)
  • Florida International University students graduate with a $6,022 lower median federal student loan debt than VCU graduates. ($17,228 vs. $23,250)
  • FIU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans 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/