VSU vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia State University 13:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

VSU vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or EWU? 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 Eastern Washington University than VSU ($14,767 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 14.2% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($13,355 vs. $15,574).
• Virginia State University is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $1,457 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at EWU than at Virginia State University (about $3,309 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Eastern Washington University (92% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($12,447 vs. $10,001).

VSU vs. EWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Washington University (990) is 30 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming EWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 840/1070; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 14/20; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027; EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at VSU (2.85).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at VSU vs. 22.7% at EWU.

VSU vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU and EWU? 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).

• Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $8,682 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($20,818 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($215 vs. $305).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.