Saint Joseph's University vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, 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 Saint Joseph's University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 7,159 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Saint Joseph's University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Joseph's University 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 Saint Joseph's University ($26,836 vs. $31,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 11% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,240 vs. $18,254).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is 214.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $36,315 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Saint Joseph's University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $13,151 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students is 160.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($36,964 vs. $14,186).

Saint Joseph's University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Joseph's University 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 Saint Joseph's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (1260) is 120 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Saint Joseph's University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Joseph's University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Saint Joseph's University (88.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Saint Joseph's University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Joseph's University 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).

• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia graduates have a $242 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($23,008 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Saint Joseph's University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More Saint Joseph's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.