Pitt vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Pitt vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Pitt ($21,267 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 12.4% lower than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ($11,930 vs. $13,620).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 71% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $15,574 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Pitt than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $3,930 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 81.4% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($29,923 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt or VWC? 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 VWC and Pitt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 120 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Pitt vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt and VWC? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($26,909 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Pitt graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 57%)

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.