HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampden Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampden Sydney College 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($26,836 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampden Sydney College are 8.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,732 vs. $18,254).
• Hampden Sydney College is 221.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $37,605 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $14,441 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 187% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($40,720 vs. $14,186).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is the same as at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at HSC- Hampden-Sydney).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 21.6% at VCU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

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.