VCU vs. WVU

Should I go to Virginia Commonwealth University or West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCU or WVU 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.
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Virginia Commonwealth University vs. West Virginia University comparison
Virginia Commonwealth University West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Virginia Commonwealth University West Virginia University
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Overview

 VCU WVU
Location Richmond, VA Morgantown, WV
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 28,082 24,741
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #442 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vcu.edu wvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 VCU WVU
Tuition (In State) $12,458 $9,360
Tuition (Out of State) $33,726 $26,568
Room & Board $12,279 $11,618
Avg Net Price $21,294 $12,202
Avg Grant Aid $12,583 $11,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 94%

Admission

 VCU WVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,242 18,206
Admitted 16,600 16,091
Acceptance Rate 91% 88.4%
Enrolled % 25.1% 28.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.45
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 1000/1220
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 WVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

 VCU WVU
Graduation Rate 53% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,500 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $240 $248

Diversity

 VCU WVU
% Men 36% 47%
% Women 64% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 50% 81%
% Black 18% 5%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 VCU WVU
% In-State 92% 42%
% Out-of-State 6% 57%

Campus

 VCU WVU
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 WVU based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 24,741 students)

VCU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCU or WVU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 33.1% more expensive to attend than WVU for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $9,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.9% higher at VCU than West Virginia University ($33,726.00 vs. $26,568.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than VCU ($12,202 vs. $21,294)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 5.7% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,618 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University than Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 7.7% larger than aid received West Virginia University ($12,583 vs. $11,685)

VCU vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 19 points higher than at WVU (1078)
  • Incoming VCU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at WVU (24)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at WVU (3.45)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than WVU (88.4%)

VCU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WVU is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (57% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn on average $3,100 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $47,500)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $751 lower median federal student loan debt than WVU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,001)
  • VCU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than WVU graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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