Livingstone College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC 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 Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Livingstone College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone 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 Livingstone College than VSU ($12,826 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 49.1% lower than at Virginia State University ($6,794 vs. $13,355).
• Livingstone College is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $8,253 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at VSU than at Livingstone College (about $4,354 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Virginia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($15,485 vs. $12,447).

Livingstone College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 80 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Livingstone College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at VSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (2.85) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Livingstone College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($29,500 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($305 vs. $434).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 13%)

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.