Mary Washington College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, 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 Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Mary Washington College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington than VCU ($21,800 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 21.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,250 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $2,305 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at VCU than at University of Mary Washington (about $12,549 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 35.2% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($14,186 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 130 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Mary Washington College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Mary Washington College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.