Empire State University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Empire State University is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Empire 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: Empire State University 17:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Empire State University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Empire 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 Empire State University than VSU ($11,659 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 6.1% lower than at Empire State University ($13,355 vs. $14,230).
• Virginia State University is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $2,395 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at VSU than at Empire State University (about $5,092 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Empire State University (92% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 51% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($12,447 vs. $8,243).

Empire State University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• 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: Empire State University - Not reported; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.

Empire State University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Empire 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 Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Empire State University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($240 vs. $305).
• More Empire State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.