UNLV vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (32,911 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas 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 Nevada Las Vegas 19:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UNLV vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV 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 Nevada Las Vegas than VCU ($11,553 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 30.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,628 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 73.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNLV (about $7,197 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at VCU than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (about $12,698 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $27,411.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at Virginia Commonwealth University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 83.8% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($14,186 vs. $7,717).

UNLV vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 10 points higher than at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming VCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNLV - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.2% at UNLV vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UNLV vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNLV 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Las Vegas graduates have a $4,232 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,018 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNLV graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($196 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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.