Longwood University vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Longwood University in Farmville, VA 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 Longwood University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 4,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Longwood University is located in Farmville, VA (Remote Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Longwood University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Longwood University 15:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Longwood University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Longwood 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 Longwood University than VCU ($20,847 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Longwood University are 4.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($17,424 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Longwood University (about $1,201 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at VCU than at Longwood University (about $12,131 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $27,978.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Longwood University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Longwood University students ($14,186 vs. $13,954).

Longwood University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Longwood 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 Longwood University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 20 points higher than at Longwood University (1120).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Longwood University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 1030/1210; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 19/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Longwood University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Longwood University (3.59).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Longwood University (90.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Longwood University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Longwood University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Longwood 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).

• Longwood University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Longwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Longwood University graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Longwood University graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Longwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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.