VSU vs. Bethany College

Virginia State University and Bethany College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Virginia State University
Bethany College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bethany College (58.8% admitted vs 88.6%). Typical SAT 990 vs 960.
  • Cheaper after aid: VSU. Average net price is $17,840 vs $19,035 at Bethany College.
  • Graduation: VSU 40% vs Bethany College 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: VSU $36,700 vs Bethany College $44,000 (median).
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Key differences

Virginia State University Bethany College
Acceptance rate
Bethany College more selective
VSU88.6%
Bethany College58.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethany College higher
VSU840-1070
Bethany College870-1110
Average net price
VSU $1,195 less
VSU$17,840
Bethany College$19,035
In-state tuition
VSU $26,722 less
VSU$10,043
Bethany College$36,765
Out-of-state tuition
VSU $14,115 less
VSU$22,650
Bethany College$36,765
Graduation rate
Bethany College +8 pts
VSU40%
Bethany College48%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethany College +$7,300
VSU$36,700
Bethany College$44,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • VSU 11,775
  • Bethany College 1,359
  • Admitted
  • VSU 10,436
  • Bethany College 799
  • Acceptance rate
  • VSU 88.6%
  • Bethany College 58.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • VSU 14.3%
  • Bethany College 27.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • VSU 960
  • Bethany College 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • VSU 17
  • Bethany College 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • VSU 2.85
  • Bethany College 2.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • VSU B
  • Bethany College B
  • Admissions standards
  • VSU Extremely Easy
  • Bethany College Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • VSU
  • Bethany College Low
  • SAT range
  • VSU 840-1070
  • Bethany College 870-1110
  • ACT range
  • VSU 14-20
  • Bethany College 18-26
  • Submit test scores
  • VSU Test optional
  • Bethany College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • VSU May 1, 2027
  • Bethany College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • VSU $10,043
  • Bethany College $36,765
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • VSU $22,650
  • Bethany College $36,765
  • Room & board
  • VSU $13,355
  • Bethany College $13,210
  • Average net price
  • VSU $17,840
  • Bethany College $19,035
  • Average grant aid
  • VSU $12,447
  • Bethany College $31,646
  • % receiving grant aid
  • VSU 92%
  • Bethany College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • VSU 40%
  • Bethany College 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • VSU $36,700
  • Bethany College $44,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • VSU 28%
  • Bethany College 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • VSU $29,500
  • Bethany College $30,884
  • Median loan payment
  • VSU $305
  • Bethany College $319
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • VSU 13:1
  • Bethany College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • VSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Bethany College
    • Education (15%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Human Services (8%)
  • Location
  • VSU Petersburg, VA
  • Bethany College Bethany, WV
  • Setting
  • VSU Large Suburban
  • Bethany College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • VSU 5,605
  • Bethany College 640
  • Type
  • VSU Public 4 Year
  • Bethany College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • VSU #950
  • Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Virginia State University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia State University 13:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 1.1% lower than at Virginia State University ($13,210 vs. $13,355).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at Bethany College than at Virginia State University (about $14,115 more per year; $36,765 vs. $22,650).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 154.2% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($31,646 vs. $12,447).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Bethany College than at VSU (22 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at VSU, test-free at Bethany College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman VSU students have the same average high school GPA (2.85) as students at Bethany College (2.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at VSU vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $1,384 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($29,500 vs. $30,884).
  • Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($305 vs. $319).
  • More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 28%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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