McDaniel College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD 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 McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

McDaniel College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($17,840 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 2.9% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,974 vs. $13,355).
• McDaniel College is 418.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $42,038 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.9% higher at McDaniel College than at Virginia State University (about $29,431 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 227.2% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($40,721 vs. $12,447).

McDaniel College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia 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: McDaniel College - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

McDaniel College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.