University of Akron vs. VCU

Should I go to University of Akron Main Campus or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Akron or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU Mason Virginia Tech Mary Washington College Old Dominion CNU William & Mary UVA Kent State Ohio State Cleveland State WVU
University of Akron Main Campus vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
University of Akron Main Campus Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus Virginia Commonwealth University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Akron VCU
Location Akron, OH Richmond, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,465 28,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #838 #442
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Akron VCU
Tuition (In State) $10,097 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $13,170 $33,726
Room & Board $12,410 $12,279
Avg Net Price $14,667 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $8,525 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 83%

Admission

University of Akron VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,282 18,242
Admitted 10,178 16,600
Acceptance Rate 82.9%Open 91%
Enrolled % 20.8%Open 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 22/30
SAT Range 980/1230 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jan 18, 2025

Academics

University of Akron VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

University of Akron VCU
Graduation Rate 38% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $263 $240

Diversity

University of Akron VCU
% Men 50% 36%
% Women 50% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 50%
% Black 12% 18%
% Hispanic 2% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 6%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

University of Akron VCU
% In-State 92% 92%
% Out-of-State 7% 6%

Campus

University of Akron VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 13,465 students)

University of Akron vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or VCU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 23.4% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 156.1% higher at VCU than University of Akron Main Campus ($33,726.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than VCU ($14,667 vs. $21,294)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 1.1% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($12,279 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than Virginia Commonwealth University (96% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 47.6% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($12,583 vs. $8,525)

University of Akron vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Akron or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or University of Akron .

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 48 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

University of Akron vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at VCU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (53% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $7,400 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $40,100)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,500)
  • VCU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($240 vs. $263)
  • More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/