Ohio University vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, OH 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 Ohio University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 26,323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Ohio University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio University Main Campus than VCU ($21,907 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio University Main Campus are 22.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,162 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $2,787 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at VCU than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $15,271 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 50.6% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($14,186 vs. $9,422).

Ohio University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ohio 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 Ohio University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Ohio University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Ohio University (3.59).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Ohio University (85%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Ohio University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio 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).

• Ohio University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 51%)

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.