VCU vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

VCU vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCU or PHC? 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 Patrick Henry College than VCU ($25,869 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 39.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,020 vs. $18,254).
• Patrick Henry College is 67.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $11,480 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at VCU than at Patrick Henry College (about $11,684 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($14,186 vs. $13,345).

VCU vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCU or PHC? 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 PHC and VCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Patrick Henry College (1330) is 190 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming PHC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCU - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PHC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than PHC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at VCU vs. 47.6% at PHC.

VCU vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCU and PHC? 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).

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.