UNC Charlotte vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than VCU ($15,045 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 20.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,458 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 134.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $9,706 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at VCU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $17,617 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 78.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($14,186 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 100 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UNC Charlotte vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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).

• The graduation rate at UNC Charlotte is the same as at Virginia Commonwealth University (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.