University of South Alabama vs Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
In the pursuit of higher education, prospective students often find themselves torn between multiple universities that align with their academic aspirations. To aid in this decision-making process, we present a comprehensive comparison of the University of South Alabama (USA) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. USA boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students, while VCU's lower student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which university best aligns with your individual needs and aspirations.
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![]() University of South Alabama |
![]() Virginia Commonwealth University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mobile, Alabama | Richmond, Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
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 | 71.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 70.8% | 92.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | 985 - 1215 | 1070 - 1300 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 20 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,817 | 17,579 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,364 | 16,308 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,778 | 4,084 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 25.0% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,838
Out of state:
$32,094
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In state:
$36,861
Out of state:
$58,199
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Average net price | $14,984 | $19,656 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,256
Out of state:
$16,512
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In state:
$12,094
Out of state:
$32,742
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,260
Meal plan:
$3,890
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Room/dormitory:
$6,953
Meal plan:
$5,820
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $7,774 |
78.0%
Average amount $13,623 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $10,354 |
44.0%
Average amount $5,174 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $12,311 |
8.0%
Average amount $17,903 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,833
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
21,394
Men 36.9% Women 63.1% |
Graduate students |
5,159
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
7,200
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 24.3% | 7.0% |
International students | 1.5% | 3.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 3,331 | 5,958 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Alabama Mississippi Florida Illinois Louisiana | Virginia Maryland North Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.4% | 67.6% |
Dropout rate | 19.5% | 10.5% |
Transferred out | 29.5% | 19.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
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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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