Northern Virginia Community College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College 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 Northern Virginia Community College than VCU ($9,627 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 30.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,684 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 187.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $11,054 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.2% higher at VCU than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $27,700 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Northern Virginia Community College (88% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 88.7% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($14,186 vs. $7,519).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Virginia Community College 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 Northern Virginia Community College.

• Northern Virginia Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College 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).

• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($113 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

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.