Mount St. Mary's University vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD 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 Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University than VCU ($23,027 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 17.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,050 vs. $18,254).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 187% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $31,685 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $8,521 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 186.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($40,619 vs. $14,186).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 20 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's 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.