Iona University vs. VCU

Deciding between Iona 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.

Iona University
Virginia Commonwealth University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Iona University New Rochelle, NY
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Iona University Large Suburban
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Iona University 3,958
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • Iona University Private 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Iona University #456
  • VCU #465
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Iona University Roman Catholic
  • VCU -
  • Status
  • Iona University Non-profit
  • VCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Iona University
  • VCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Iona University $47,260
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Iona University $47,260
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & Board
  • Iona University $18,820
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average Net Price
  • Iona University $29,978
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Iona University $30,780
  • VCU $14,186
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Iona University 100%
  • VCU 88%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Iona University 8,479
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • Iona University 7,372
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Iona University 86.9%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Iona University 12.9%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Iona University 1210
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Iona University 26
  • VCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Iona University 3.4
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Iona University B+
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Iona University Challenging
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Iona University
  • VCU
  • ACT Range
  • Iona University 24/29
  • VCU 22/30
  • SAT Range
  • Iona University 1110/1300
  • VCU 1010/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Iona University Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Iona University Feb 15, 2027
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Iona University 16:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Iona University
    • Business (37%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Iona University 57%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Iona University $58,400
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Iona University 73%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Iona University $26,047
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Iona University $269
  • VCU $240
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Iona University 44%
  • VCU 36%
  • % Women
  • Iona University 56%
  • VCU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Iona University Medium
  • VCU High
  • HBCU
  • Iona University No
  • VCU No
  • % White
  • Iona University 58%
  • VCU 50%
  • % Asian
  • Iona University 2%
  • VCU 13%
  • % Black
  • Iona University 8%
  • VCU 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • Iona University 22%
  • VCU 8%
  • % Native American
  • Iona University 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Iona University 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Iona University 2%
  • VCU 6%
  • % International
  • Iona University 3%
  • VCU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Iona University 5%
  • VCU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Iona University 79%
  • VCU 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Iona University 20%
  • VCU 6%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Iona University in New Rochelle, NY 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 Iona University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 3,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Iona University is located in New Rochelle, NY (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Iona University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Iona University 16:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Iona University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iona University 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 Iona University ($26,836 vs. $29,978).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 3% lower than at Iona University ($18,254 vs. $18,820).
  • Iona University is 178.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $30,315 more per year; $47,260.00 vs. $16,945.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Iona University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $7,151 more per year; $47,260.00 vs. $40,109.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iona University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iona University students is 117% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($30,780 vs. $14,186).

Iona University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iona University 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 Iona University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iona University (1210) is 70 points higher than at VCU (1140).
  • Incoming Iona University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iona University 1110/1300; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iona University 24/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iona University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iona University Feb 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Iona University (3.4).
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Iona University (86.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Iona University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Iona University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iona University 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).

  • Iona University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Iona University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than Iona University graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,047).
  • Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iona University graduates ($240 vs. $269).
  • More Iona University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.