TU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD 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 TU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 19,401 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

TU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than VCU ($16,653 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Towson University are 10.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,260 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 44.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $5,217 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at VCU than at Towson University (about $10,289 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Towson University (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 20% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($14,186 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 50 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming VCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at TU (3.69).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

TU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($17,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($183 vs. $240).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.