Guilford College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Guilford College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College than VCU ($22,270 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 26.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,400 vs. $18,254).
• Guilford College is 144.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $24,417 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Guilford College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $1,253 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 135.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($33,419 vs. $14,186).

Guilford College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Guilford College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,385 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($240 vs. $275).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 51%)

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.