Jefferson vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA 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 Jefferson based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Jefferson University 12:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Jefferson vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Jefferson ($26,836 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 13.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,834 vs. $18,254).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 180.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $30,560 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Jefferson than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $7,396 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 146.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($35,007 vs. $14,186).

Jefferson vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jefferson or VCU? 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 VCU and Jefferson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 110 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Jefferson University 25/30; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jefferson - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Jefferson vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Jefferson vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jefferson and VCU? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $75,400 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($12,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($129 vs. $240).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.