Academic Comparison between W&L and VCU

Washington and Lee University and Virginia Commonwealth University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. W&L is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lexington, VA and VCU is a four-year, public school located in Richmond, VA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • W&L is a private (not-for-profit) and VCU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • W&L has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,525) than VCU ($38,817).
  • It is harder to admit to W&L than VCU.
  • W&L has a higher submitted SAT score (1,490) than VCU (1,160).
  • W&L has higher submitted ACT score (34) than VCU (26).
  • VCU has more students with 28,082 students while W&L has 2,243 students.
  • W&L has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while VCU's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • VCU has more full-time faculties with 2,183 faculties while W&L has 251 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Washington and Lee Universityvs.Virginia Commonwealth University
Lexington, VirginiaLocationRichmond, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$64,5252024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$16,233
Out-Of-State$38,817
63%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$50,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,794
17.36 %Acceptance Rates93.06 %
42.40 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)25.49 %
1,490SAT Score1,160
34ACT Score26
94 %Graduation Rate64 %
-Transfer-out Rate20 %
98 %Retention Rate85 %
2,243Student Population28,082
251Number of Faculties2,183
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare