VCU vs. UVA

Should I go to Virginia Commonwealth University or University of Virginia Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCU or UVA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

William & Mary JMU UNC Chapel Hill Mason Virginia Tech Michigan University of Richmond Georgetown Washington and Lee UCLA Mary Washington College UT Austin
Virginia Commonwealth University vs. University of Virginia Main Campus comparison
Virginia Commonwealth University University of Virginia Main Campus College 3 College 4
Virginia Commonwealth University University of Virginia Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 VCU UVA
Location Richmond, VA Charlottesville, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 28,082 26,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #442 #59
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vcu.edu virginia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 VCU UVA
Tuition (In State) $12,458 $16,980
Tuition (Out of State) $33,726 $51,870
Room & Board $12,279 $12,890
Avg Net Price $21,294 $19,469
Avg Grant Aid $12,583 $26,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 34%

Admission

 VCU UVA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,242 50,926
Admitted 16,600 9,503
Acceptance Rate 91% 18.7%
Enrolled % 25.1% 42.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.85
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Elite
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 22/30 32/34
SAT Range 1030/1290 1400/1540
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 18, 2025

Academics

 VCU UVA
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 VCU UVA
Graduation Rate 53% 94%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,500 $77,200
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $240 $201

Diversity

 VCU UVA
% Men 36% 45%
% Women 64% 55%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 50% 60%
% Black 18% 6%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 VCU UVA
% In-State 92% 62%
% Out-of-State 6% 33%

Campus

 VCU UVA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than UVA based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 26,082 students)

VCU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCU or UVA?

  • University of Virginia Main Campus is 36.3% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($16,980.00 vs. $12,458.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.8% higher at UVA than Virginia Commonwealth University ($51,870.00 vs. $33,726.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Virginia Main Campus than VCU ($19,469 vs. $21,294)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 5% lower than costs at University of Virginia Main Campus ($12,279 vs. $12,890)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than University of Virginia Main Campus (83% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 113.1% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($26,818 vs. $12,583)

VCU vs. UVA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCU or UVA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UVA or VCU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Virginia Main Campus (1364) is 267 points higher than at VCU (1097)
  • Incoming UVA students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at VCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at VCU (3.75)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than UVA (18.7%)

VCU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCU or UVA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UVA and VCU.

  • The graduation rate at UVA is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn on average $29,700 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($77,200 vs. $47,500)
  • University of Virginia Main Campus students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than VCU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $23,250)
  • UVA graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than VCU graduates. ($201 vs. $240)
  • More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/