Meredith vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, NC 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 Meredith based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Meredith vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith College than VCU ($24,323 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 27.2% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,280 vs. $18,254).
• Meredith College is 169.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $28,685 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Meredith than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $5,521 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 133.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($33,116 vs. $14,186).

Meredith vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 80 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Meredith students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Meredith vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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).

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.