UNCG vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UNCG vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than VCU ($11,404 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 41.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($10,688 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 121.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $9,284 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at VCU than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $16,097 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (88% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 43.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($14,186 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 110 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UNCG (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UNCG vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 UNCG is the same as at Virginia Commonwealth University (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $513 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($22,737 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($235 vs. $240).
• More UNCG graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.