Randolph-Macon vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph Macon College in Ashland, 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-Macon based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph Macon College is located in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Randolph Macon 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 Macon College 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Randolph-Macon vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph-Macon 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Randolph-Macon ($26,836 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph Macon College are 20.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,540 vs. $18,254).
• Randolph Macon College is 191.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $32,521 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $9,357 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 146.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($34,972 vs. $14,186).

Randolph-Macon vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph-Macon 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-Macon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 40 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Randolph-Macon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 980/1220; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 21/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph-Macon - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Randolph-Macon (3.7).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Randolph-Macon (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.9% at Randolph-Macon vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Randolph-Macon vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph-Macon 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 Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $47,500), 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-Macon graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph-Macon graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.