HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampden Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampden Sydney College 9:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney or VSU? 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 State University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($17,840 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 20.2% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($13,355 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 443.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $44,507 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.8% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Virginia State University (about $31,900 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 227.1% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($40,720 vs. $12,447).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney or VSU? 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 VSU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 180 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 14.3% at VSU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney and VSU? 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 State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampden Sydney College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 28%)

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.