UVa-Wise vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 2,167 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Virginia's College at Wise is located in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UVa-Wise vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVa-Wise or VCU? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than VCU ($14,378 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia's College at Wise are 29.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,816 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $5,165 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at VCU than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $12,099 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 15.7% larger than aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students ($14,186 vs. $12,262).

UVa-Wise vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVa-Wise or VCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCU and UVa-Wise.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 110 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming VCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVa-Wise - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UVa-Wise (3.57).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UVa-Wise vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UVa-Wise vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVa-Wise and VCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $2,423 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,827 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($215 vs. $240).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.