Keystone College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Keystone College in La Plume, PA 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 Keystone College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keystone College 12:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Keystone College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone College 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 Keystone College ($17,840 vs. $21,952).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 5.7% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,600 vs. $13,355).
• Keystone College is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $8,257 more per year; $18,300.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at VSU than at Keystone College (about $4,350 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Keystone College (92% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 23% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($12,447 vs. $10,119).

Keystone College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Keystone College 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 Keystone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Keystone College (1020) is 60 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keystone College 910/1130; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Keystone College - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Keystone College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Keystone College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Keystone College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone College 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).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($26,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($268 vs. $305).
• More Keystone College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.