HPU vs. VCU

Deciding between High Point University and Virginia Commonwealth University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

High Point University
Virginia Commonwealth University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • HPU High Point, NC
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • HPU Midsize City
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • HPU 6,331
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • HPU Private 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • HPU
  • VCU #465
  • Religious Affiliation
  • HPU United Methodist
  • VCU -
  • Status
  • HPU Non-profit
  • VCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • HPU
  • VCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • HPU $45,312
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • HPU $45,312
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & Board
  • HPU $18,924
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average Net Price
  • HPU $43,086
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average Grant Aid
  • HPU $22,664
  • VCU $14,186
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • HPU 95%
  • VCU 88%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • HPU 17,572
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • HPU 13,233
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance Rate
  • HPU 75.3%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Enrolled
  • HPU 11.5%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HPU 1220
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • HPU 28
  • VCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • HPU 3.4
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • HPU B+
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • HPU Difficult
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • HPU
  • VCU
  • ACT Range
  • HPU 24/33
  • VCU 22/30
  • SAT Range
  • HPU 1110/1320
  • VCU 1010/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • HPU Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • HPU Mar 1, 2027
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • HPU 21:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • HPU
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • HPU -
  • VCU 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • HPU $42,000
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • HPU 69%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • HPU $22,421
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • HPU $231
  • VCU $240
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • HPU 42%
  • VCU 36%
  • % Women
  • HPU 58%
  • VCU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • HPU Low
  • VCU High
  • HBCU
  • HPU No
  • VCU No
  • % White
  • HPU 79%
  • VCU 50%
  • % Asian
  • HPU 2%
  • VCU 13%
  • % Black
  • HPU 5%
  • VCU 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • HPU 4%
  • VCU 8%
  • % Native American
  • HPU 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • HPU 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • HPU 5%
  • VCU 6%
  • % International
  • HPU 3%
  • VCU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • HPU 1%
  • VCU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • HPU 25%
  • VCU 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • HPU 73%
  • VCU 6%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • HPU Yes
  • VCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • HPU
  • VCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • HPU Yes
  • VCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • HPU No
  • VCU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • HPU
  • VCU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare High Point University in High Point, 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 HPU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 6,331 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • High Point University is located in High Point, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • High Point University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: High Point University 21:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

HPU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HPU 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 HPU ($26,836 vs. $43,086).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 3.5% lower than at High Point University ($18,254 vs. $18,924).
  • High Point University is 167.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $28,367 more per year; $45,312.00 vs. $16,945.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at HPU than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $5,203 more per year; $45,312.00 vs. $40,109.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at High Point University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (95% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by High Point University students is 59.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($22,664 vs. $14,186).

HPU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HPU 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 HPU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at High Point University (1220) is 80 points higher than at VCU (1140).
  • Incoming HPU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at VCU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: High Point University 1110/1320; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: High Point University 24/33; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HPU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HPU Mar 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at HPU (3.4).
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than HPU (75.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at HPU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

HPU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HPU 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).

  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than HPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, High Point University graduates have a $829 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($22,421 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, HPU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($231 vs. $240).
  • More HPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.