Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) vs Wright State
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Wright State University-Main Campus (WSU) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. VCU, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to WSU's 86%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with VCU excelling in fields like nursing, health professions, and the arts, while WSU is known for its engineering, business, and education programs. VCU's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of female and minority students, while WSU has a slightly higher graduation rate (62% vs. 59%). Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Virginia Commonwealth University |
![]() Wright State University-Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Richmond, Virginia | Dayton, Ohio |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 65.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 92.8% | 96.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
$40 |
SAT range | 1070 - 1300 | 945 - 1250 |
ACT range | 20 - 29 | 17 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 6.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 79.0% |
Total number of applicants | 17,579 | 6,338 |
Total number of admissions given out | 16,308 | 6,087 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,084 | 1,132 |
Yield rate | 25.0% | 18.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$36,861
Out of state:
$58,199
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In state:
$26,960
Out of state:
$36,378
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Average net price | $19,656 | $14,198 |
Tuition |
In state:
$12,094
Out of state:
$32,742
|
In state:
$10,340
Out of state:
$19,758
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,953
Meal plan:
$5,820
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Room/dormitory:
$5,120
Meal plan:
$4,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
78.0%
Average amount $13,623 |
91.0%
Average amount $8,040 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
44.0%
Average amount $5,174 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,050 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $17,903 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,596 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,394
Men 36.9% Women 63.1% |
7,477
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
7,200
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
2,818
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 7.0% | 5.2% |
International students | 3.6% | 8.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,958 | 2,984 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Maryland North Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania | Ohio Indiana Michigan Florida Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.6% | 43.9% |
Dropout rate | 10.5% | 54.0% |
Transferred out | 19.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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