TSU vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas Southern University in Houston, TX with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southern University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas Southern University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas Southern University 19:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

TSU vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TSU 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 Texas Southern University than VSU ($13,584 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 4.2% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,800 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $870 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $9,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at VSU than at Texas Southern University (about $1,177 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $21,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Virginia State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($12,447 vs. $9,823).

TSU vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TSU 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 TSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 60 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming TSU 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: Texas Southern University 800/1000; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Southern University 15/19; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TSU - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at VSU (2.85).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at TSU vs. 14.3% at VSU.

TSU vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TSU 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 Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $500 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Southern University graduates have a $142 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($29,358 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, TSU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($303 vs. $305).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 22%)

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.