Purchase College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Purchase College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College or VWC? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than VWC ($18,211 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 27.4% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($11,930 vs. $16,436).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 318.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $28,547 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.3% higher at VWC than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $18,297 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 186.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($29,923 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College or VWC? 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 VWC and Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 30 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Purchase College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at VWC (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VWC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Purchase College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College and VWC? 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).

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.