Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) vs Augusta University

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Augusta University (AU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. VCU, located in the vibrant city of Richmond, Virginia, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while AU, situated in the historic city of Augusta, Georgia, emphasizes hands-on learning and boasts a strong focus on healthcare and allied health professions. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences, ensuring you make an informed decision that sets you on the path to success.
Augusta University logo

Augusta University

Virginia Commonwealth University logo

Virginia Commonwealth University

Overview

Location Augusta, Georgia 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 70.0% 84.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 73.3% 92.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $55
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
SAT range 1080 - 1300 1070 - 1300
ACT range 21 - 28 20 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 28.0% 29.0%
Students submitting ACT score 15.0% 5.0%
Total number of applicants 5,442 17,579
Total number of admissions given out 3,988 16,308
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,044 4,084
Yield rate 26.2% 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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,121

Out of state: $39,499
In state: $36,861

Out of state: $58,199
Average net price $14,863 $19,656
Tuition
In state: $6,892

Out of state: $22,270
In state: $12,094

Out of state: $32,742
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,238

Meal plan: $3,450
Room/dormitory: $6,953

Meal plan: $5,820
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $8,126
78.0%
Average amount $13,623
Students receiving federal student loan 46.0%
Average amount $4,987
44.0%
Average amount $5,174
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $8,239
8.0%
Average amount $17,903

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 5,487
Men 34.2% Women 65.8%
21,394
Men 36.9% Women 63.1%
Graduate students 3,474
Men 33.4% Women 66.6%
7,200
Men 33.7% Women 66.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 6.8% 7.0%
International students 1.3% 3.6%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,228 5,958
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Georgia South Carolina Florida Maryland Iowa Virginia Maryland North Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 50.2% 67.6%
Dropout rate 11.8% 10.5%
Transferred out 34.9% 19.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Dental Residency Programs (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $166,147
  • Year 2: $222,886
  • Year 3: $226,676
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $131,165
  • Year 2: $115,542
  • Year 3: $131,597
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $84,343
  • Year 2: $103,078
  • Year 3: $116,061
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,737
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $106,826
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,642
  • Year 2: $70,127
  • Year 3: $73,937
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,838
  • Year 2: $66,821
  • Year 3: $72,443
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,143
  • Year 2: $67,789
  • Year 3: $70,870
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,414
  • Year 2: $64,990
  • Year 3: $69,899
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,174
  • Year 2: $58,943
  • Year 3: $66,485
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,347
  • Year 2: $55,875
  • Year 3: $65,843
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $234,763
  • Year 3: $225,432
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $166,030
  • Year 2: $181,454
  • Year 3: $181,915
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,586
  • Year 2: $106,935
  • Year 3: $134,578
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $101,582
  • Year 2: $119,256
  • Year 3: $121,903
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,371
  • Year 2: $93,178
  • Year 3: $105,544
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,094
  • Year 2: $93,467
  • Year 3: $97,893
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,759
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $94,244
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,726
  • Year 2: $82,440
  • Year 3: $90,664
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $77,993
  • Year 2: $89,305
  • Year 3: $82,470
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,920
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $82,210

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