Rutgers University-Newark vs. VCU

Should I go to Rutgers University Newark or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rutgers University-Newark or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU Mason Rutgers University-Camden Rutgers Virginia Tech Mary Washington College NJIT Rowan University Old Dominion CNU Kean Rider University
Rutgers University Newark vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Rutgers University Newark Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Rutgers University Newark Virginia Commonwealth University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Location Newark, NJ Richmond, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 10,809 28,238
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #186 #469
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Tuition (In State) $13,674 $12,850
Tuition (Out of State) $32,436 $34,744
Room & Board $15,060 $16,119
Avg Net Price $17,425 $22,852
Avg Grant Aid $16,298 $12,433
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 99%

Admission

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,779 19,052
Admitted 13,997 17,729
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 93.1%
Enrolled % 10.1% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.75
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 22/30
SAT Range 1030/1270 1030/1270
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 18, 2025

Academics

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Graduation Rate 68% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $229 $240

Diversity

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
% Men 16% 8%
% Women 16% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 25% 50%
% Black 19% 18%
% Hispanic 27% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
% In-State 96% 92%
% Out-of-State 2% 6%

Campus

Rutgers University-Newark VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (28,238 students vs. 10,809 students)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark or VCU?

  • Rutgers University Newark is 6.4% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($13,674.00 vs. $12,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.1% higher at VCU than Rutgers University Newark ($34,744.00 vs. $32,436.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rutgers University Newark than VCU ($17,425 vs. $22,852)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Newark are 7% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,060 vs. $16,119)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than Rutgers University Newark (99% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 31.1% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,298 vs. $12,433)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or Rutgers University-Newark .

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 67 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1030)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than Rutgers University-Newark (78.7%)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rutgers University-Newark or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and Rutgers University-Newark.

  • The graduation rate at Rutgers University-Newark is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (68% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn on average $18,700 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $47,500)
  • Rutgers University Newark students graduate with a $1,035 lower median federal student loan debt than VCU graduates. ($22,215 vs. $23,250)
  • Rutgers University-Newark graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than VCU graduates. ($229 vs. $240)
  • More Rutgers University-Newark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/