Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Erie Behrend College is located in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College than VCU ($23,764 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Erie Behrend College are 20.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,474 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $973 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at VCU than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $13,151 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 31.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($14,186 vs. $10,760).

Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 80 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Erie-Behrend College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Erie-Behrend 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.