VCU vs. VWC

Should I go to Virginia Commonwealth University or Virginia Wesleyan College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCU or VWC 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. 

JMU Mason Virginia Tech Mary Washington College Old Dominion CNU William & Mary UVA WVU UMBC Howard University of Richmond
Virginia Commonwealth University vs. Virginia Wesleyan College comparison
Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Wesleyan College College 3 College 4
Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Wesleyan College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 VCU VWC
Location Richmond, VA Norfolk, VA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 28,082 1,538
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #442 #631
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vcu.edu vwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 VCU VWC
Tuition (In State) $12,458 $36,010
Tuition (Out of State) $33,726 $36,010
Room & Board $12,279 $11,070
Avg Net Price $21,294 $23,046
Avg Grant Aid $12,583 $27,568
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 100%

Admission

 VCU VWC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,242 1,718
Admitted 16,600 1,399
Acceptance Rate 91% 81.4%
Enrolled % 25.1% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.39
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 27/29
SAT Range 1030/1290 1190/1365
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 VWC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

 VCU VWC
Graduation Rate 53% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,500 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $279

Diversity

 VCU VWC
% Men 36% 44%
% Women 64% 56%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 50% 54%
% Black 18% 24%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 VCU VWC
% In-State 92% 73%
% Out-of-State 6% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than VWC based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 1,538 students)

VCU vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCU or VWC?

  • Virginia Wesleyan College is 189.1% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($36,010.00 vs. $12,458.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.8% higher at VWC than Virginia Commonwealth University ($36,010.00 vs. $33,726.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than VWC ($21,294 vs. $23,046)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan College are 10.9% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,070 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan College than Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan College students is 119.1% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($27,568 vs. $12,583)

VCU vs. VWC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 115 points higher than at VWC (982)
  • Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at VWC (22)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at VWC (3.39)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than VWC (81.4%)

VCU vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCU or VWC? 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 VWC and VCU.

  • The graduation rate at VCU is higher than Virginia Wesleyan College (53% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $5,800 more per year than VWC graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $41,700)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than VWC graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than VWC graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More VWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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