Shawnee State University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH 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 Shawnee State University based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 3,231 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shawnee State University 12:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Shawnee State University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University than VSU ($13,996 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 6.4% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,502 vs. $13,355).
• Shawnee State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $583 more per year; $10,626.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at VSU than at Shawnee State University (about $5,292 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Shawnee State University (92% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 59.2% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($12,447 vs. $7,820).

Shawnee State University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University.

• Shawnee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shawnee State University - Open admission; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shawnee State University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at VSU (2.85).

Shawnee State University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shawnee State University 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).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $5,788 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($23,712 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($245 vs. $305).
• More Shawnee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.