Methodist vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Methodist University in Fayetteville, 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 Methodist based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Methodist University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Methodist University 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Methodist vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Methodist 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 Methodist University than VCU ($26,334 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Methodist University are 21.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,250 vs. $18,254).
• Methodist University is 143.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $24,305 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Methodist than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $1,141 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 107.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($29,476 vs. $14,186).

Methodist vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Methodist 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 Methodist.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Methodist University (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Methodist).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 1080/1250; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 22/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Methodist - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Methodist (3.58).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Methodist (75.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Methodist vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Methodist vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Methodist 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 Methodist University's (39%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Methodist graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Methodist graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Methodist graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 49%)

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.