LRC vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

LRC vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC or SU? 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 La Roche University than SU ($24,108 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 6.7% lower than at La Roche University ($12,490 vs. $13,390).
• Shenandoah University is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than LRC (about $2,898 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at SU than at La Roche University (about $2,898 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 7.2% larger than aid received by La Roche University students ($24,747 vs. $23,083).

LRC vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or SU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SU and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 50 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming SU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at LRC (3.2).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 16.7% at SU.

LRC vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and SU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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.