VCU vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

VCU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCU or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than VCU ($18,427 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 18.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,800 vs. $18,254).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $4,858 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at UVA than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $19,403 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (88% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 102.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($28,715 vs. $14,186).

VCU vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 340 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming UVA students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCU - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• 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 (92.6%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at VCU vs. 40% at UVA.

VCU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCU and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.