Long Island University vs. VCU

Deciding between Long Island 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.

Long Island University
Virginia Commonwealth University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Long Island University Brookville, NY
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Long Island University Large Suburban
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Long Island University 16,689
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • Long Island University Private 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Long Island University #511
  • VCU #465
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Long Island University -
  • VCU -
  • Status
  • Long Island University Non-profit
  • VCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Long Island University
  • VCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Long Island University $42,432
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Long Island University $42,432
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & Board
  • Long Island University $17,846
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average Net Price
  • Long Island University $24,867
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Long Island University $30,635
  • VCU $14,186
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Long Island University 97%
  • VCU 88%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Long Island University 20,564
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • Long Island University 17,717
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Long Island University 86.2%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Long Island University 8%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Long Island University 1230
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Long Island University 25
  • VCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Long Island University 3.36
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Long Island University B+
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Long Island University Difficult
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Long Island University
  • VCU
  • ACT Range
  • Long Island University 21/30
  • VCU 22/30
  • SAT Range
  • Long Island University 1110/1350
  • VCU 1010/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Long Island University Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Long Island University
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Long Island University 15:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Long Island University
    • Education (23%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Long Island University 42%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Long Island University $54,600
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Long Island University 53%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Long Island University $25,500
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Long Island University $263
  • VCU $240
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Long Island University 37%
  • VCU 36%
  • % Women
  • Long Island University 63%
  • VCU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Long Island University High
  • VCU High
  • HBCU
  • Long Island University No
  • VCU No
  • % White
  • Long Island University 46%
  • VCU 50%
  • % Asian
  • Long Island University 4%
  • VCU 13%
  • % Black
  • Long Island University 12%
  • VCU 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • Long Island University 14%
  • VCU 8%
  • % Native American
  • Long Island University 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Long Island University 0%
  • VCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Long Island University 2%
  • VCU 6%
  • % International
  • Long Island University 9%
  • VCU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Long Island University 13%
  • VCU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Long Island University 75%
  • VCU 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Long Island University 20%
  • VCU 6%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Long Island University in Brookville, 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 Long Island University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 16,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Long Island University is located in Brookville, NY (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Long Island University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Long Island University 15:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Long Island University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Long Island 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 Long Island University than VCU ($24,867 vs. $26,836).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Long Island University are 2.2% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($17,846 vs. $18,254).
  • Long Island University is 150.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $25,487 more per year; $42,432.00 vs. $16,945.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Long Island University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $2,323 more per year; $42,432.00 vs. $40,109.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Long Island University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (97% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Long Island University students is 116% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($30,635 vs. $14,186).

Long Island University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Long Island 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 Long Island University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Long Island University (1230) is 90 points higher than at VCU (1140).
  • Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Long Island University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Long Island University 1110/1350; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Long Island University 21/30; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Long Island University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Long Island University (3.36).
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Long Island University (86.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Long Island University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Long Island University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Long Island 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).

  • Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Long Island University's (42%).
  • Graduates from Long Island University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Long Island University graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Long Island University graduates ($240 vs. $263).
  • More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Long Island University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.