Randolph vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA 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 Randolph based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph College 8:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Randolph vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph 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 Randolph College than VCU ($21,668 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 32.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,350 vs. $18,254).
• Randolph College is 78.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $13,365 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at VCU than at Randolph College (about $9,799 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($23,372 vs. $14,186).

Randolph vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph 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 Randolph.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 20 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Randolph).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 1100/1210; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 19/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Randolph vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Randolph vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.