VSU vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia State University 13:1; Bethany College 12:1.

VSU vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Bethany College? 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 Virginia State University than Bethany College ($17,840 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 1.1% lower than at Virginia State University ($13,210 vs. $13,355).
• Bethany College is 266.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $26,722 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at Bethany College than at Virginia State University (about $14,115 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 154.2% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($31,646 vs. $12,447).

VSU vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VSU or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College and VSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany College (990) is 30 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 840/1070; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 14/20; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VSU students have the same average high school GPA (2.85) as students at Bethany College (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at VSU vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

VSU vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU and Bethany College? 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $1,384 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($29,500 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($305 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 28%)

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.