VSU vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia State University 13:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

VSU vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Penn 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 Penn College ($17,840 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania College of Technology are 4% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,818 vs. $13,355).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 81.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $8,197 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Penn College than at Virginia State University (about $3,330 more per year; $25,980.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (92% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($12,447 vs. $8,964).

VSU vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

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

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Test optional; Penn College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.05) than students at VSU (2.85).

VSU vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU and Penn 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Technology's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($222 vs. $305).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.