UMES vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than UMES based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is located in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

UMES vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMES or VSU? 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 Maryland Eastern Shore than VSU ($13,311 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Eastern Shore are 15% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,351 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMES (about $967 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $9,076.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at VSU than at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (about $2,528 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $20,122.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Eastern Shore than at Virginia State University (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($12,728 vs. $12,447).

UMES vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMES or VSU? 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 VSU and UMES.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 30 points higher than at UMES (930).
• Incoming UMES students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at VSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMES - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMES Jun 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMES students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.07) than students at VSU (2.85).
• UMES has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at UMES vs. 14.3% at VSU.

UMES vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMES and VSU? 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).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, UMES graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 23%)

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.