Paul Smith's College vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in Paul Smiths, NY with Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Union University is larger than Paul Smith's College based on total student enrollment (1,646 students vs. 948 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is located in Paul Smiths, NY (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 12:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Paul Smith's College vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paul Smith's College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University than Paul Smith's College ($11,483 vs. $28,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 22.6% lower than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($11,016 vs. $14,236).
• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is 89.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $15,559 more per year; $33,009.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.2% higher at Paul Smith's College than at Virginia Union University (about $15,559 more per year; $33,009.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science than at Virginia Union University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Union University students ($22,973 vs. $17,524).

Paul Smith's College vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paul Smith's College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and Paul Smith's College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paul Smith's College - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Paul Smith's College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (2.8) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than Paul Smith's College (76.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Paul Smith's College vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Paul Smith's College vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paul Smith's College and Virginia Union University? 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).

• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($25,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Paul Smith's College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($258 vs. $348).
• More Paul Smith's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 19%)

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.