Southern University and A & M College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, LA with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern University and A & M College is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (7,452 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern University and A & M College is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Midsize City setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern University and A & M College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern University and A & M College 21:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Southern University and A & M College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern University and A & M College 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 Southern University and A & M College ($17,840 vs. $18,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University and A & M College are 40% lower than at Virginia State University ($8,018 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern University and A & M College (about $121 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $9,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at VSU than at Southern University and A & M College (about $5,378 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $17,272.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Southern University and A & M College (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Southern University and A & M College students ($12,447 vs. $7,945).

Southern University and A & M College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern University and A & M College 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 Southern University and A & M College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 50 points higher than at Southern University and A & M College (910).
• Incoming Southern University and A & M College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at VSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern University and A & M College 790/1020; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern University and A & M College 15/19; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern University and A & M College - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern University and A & M College Aug 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern University and A & M College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Southern University and A & M College (35.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Southern University and A & M College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Southern University and A & M College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern University and A & M College 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 Southern University and A & M College's (19%).
• Graduates from Southern University and A & M College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Southern University and A & M College graduates ($29,500 vs. $30,750).
• Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern University and A & M College graduates ($305 vs. $317).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern University and A & M College students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 25%)

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.