Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,646 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($11,483 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 36.1% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($11,016 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 84.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $14,700 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.2% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Virginia Union University (about $14,700 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Virginia Union University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students ($17,524 vs. $14,989).

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Virginia Union University (98%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Virginia Union University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,300 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($27,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($279 vs. $348).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.