VSU vs. Virginia Union University

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

VSU Virginia Union University
Location Petersburg, VA Richmond, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,190 1,662
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #930 #1019
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vsu.edu vuu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VSU Virginia Union University
Tuition (In State) $5,540 $10,530
Tuition (Out of State) $17,038 $10,530
Room & Board $12,966 $9,552
Avg Net Price $16,184 $20,207
Avg Grant Aid $12,300 $14,751
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 88%

Admission

VSU Virginia Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,577 2,771
Admitted 9,424 2,708
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 97.7%
Enrolled % 15.4% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 2.85 2.71
Typical High School Grades B- B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/20
SAT Range 800/1050 750/1010
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 May 1, 2026

Academics

VSU Virginia Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Social Sciences (35%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

VSU Virginia Union University
Graduation Rate 40% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 19%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,500 $33,750
Median Loan Payment $305 $348

Diversity

VSU Virginia Union University
% Men 3% 16%
% Women 4% 14%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 1%
% Black 87% 94%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

VSU Virginia Union University
% In-State 66% 60%
% Out-of-State 33% 39%

Campus

VSU Virginia Union University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia State University is larger than than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (5,190 students vs. 1,662 students)

VSU vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Virginia Union University?

  • Virginia Union University is 90.1% more expensive to attend than VSU for in-state tuition ($10,530.00 vs. $5,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.8% higher at VSU than Virginia Union University ($17,038.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia State University than Virginia Union University ($16,184 vs. $20,207)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 35.7% lower than costs at Virginia State University ($9,552 vs. $12,966)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia State University than Virginia Union University (92% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 19.9% larger than aid received Virginia State University ($14,751 vs. $12,300)

VSU vs. Virginia Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Virginia State University (857) is 85 points higher than at Virginia Union University (772)
  • Incoming VSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at Virginia Union University (16)
  • Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (2.85) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71)
  • Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than VSU (89.1%)

VSU vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VSU or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and VSU.

  • The graduation rate at VSU is higher than Virginia Union University (40% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Virginia State University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $33,300)
  • Virginia State University students graduate with a $4,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates. ($29,500 vs. $33,750)
  • VSU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than Virginia Union University graduates. ($305 vs. $348)
  • More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 19%)

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