VSU vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Virginia State University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 880 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia State University 13:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carolina University are 7.2% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,400 vs. $13,355).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.9% higher at VSU than at Carolina University (about $5,075 more per year; $22,650 vs. $17,575).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Carolina University students ($12,447 vs. $11,947).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at VSU, test-free at Carolina University.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Carolina University average a 3.0 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at VSU (2.85).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at VSU vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Loans and repayment

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