Kent State vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH 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 Kent State based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 26,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Kent State vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent than VCU ($21,278 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 24.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,794 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $3,713 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at VCU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $17,027 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Virginia Commonwealth University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 40.8% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($14,186 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State 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 Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 10 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming VCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Kent State vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Kent State 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 $2,575 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($240 vs. $267).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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.