Wagner College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wagner College in Staten Island, NY with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Wagner College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 2,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wagner College is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Wagner College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wagner College 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Wagner College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wagner College or VCU? 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 Commonwealth University than Wagner College ($26,836 vs. $28,033).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wagner College are 9.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,485 vs. $18,254).
• Wagner College is 214% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $36,255 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.6% higher at Wagner College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $13,091 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wagner College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wagner College students is 167.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($37,897 vs. $14,186).

Wagner College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wagner College or VCU? 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 VCU and Wagner College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wagner College (1240) is 100 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Wagner College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wagner College 1190/1290; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wagner College 23/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wagner College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wagner College Feb 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Wagner College (3.5).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Wagner College (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Wagner College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Wagner College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wagner College and VCU? 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).

• Wagner College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Wagner College earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,100 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,129 lower median loan debt than Wagner College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,379).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wagner College graduates ($240 vs. $272).
• More Wagner College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 56%)

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.