Georgia State vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia State University is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia State University 25:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Georgia State vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State 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 Georgia State University than VCU ($16,854 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 26.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,392 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 95.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $8,281 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at VCU than at Georgia State University (about $15,269 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia State University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($14,186 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia State 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 Georgia State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 80 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Georgia State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 940/1180; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Georgia State vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State 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 Georgia State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Georgia State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $449 lower median loan debt than Georgia State graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia State graduates ($240 vs. $245).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

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.