Randolph-Macon vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Randolph-Macon based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph Macon College is located in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph Macon College 11:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Randolph-Macon vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph-Macon or VSU? 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 State University than Randolph-Macon ($17,840 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 8.1% lower than at Randolph Macon College ($13,355 vs. $14,540).
• Randolph Macon College is 392.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $39,423 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.4% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Virginia State University (about $26,816 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 181% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($34,972 vs. $12,447).

Randolph-Macon vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph-Macon or VSU? 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 VSU and Randolph-Macon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph Macon College (1100) is 140 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Randolph-Macon students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 980/1220; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 21/27; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph-Macon - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Randolph-Macon (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.9% at Randolph-Macon vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Randolph-Macon vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph-Macon and VSU? 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 State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Randolph Macon College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Randolph-Macon graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 28%)

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.