Deciding on a college is a major decision that can impact the course of one’s life. In this article, we will compare two universities: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). We will provide an in-depth analysis of each school’s overview, costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. This information should help prospective students make an informed decision when choosing between these two institutions.
VCU Overview
Virginia Commonwealth University, located in Richmond, Virginia, is a public research university founded in 1838. VCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a strong focus on research and innovation. The university is known for its renowned art and design programs, as well as its medical and engineering schools.
VCU Costs & Tuition
VCU’s tuition for in-state undergraduate students is $14,710 per year, while out-of-state undergraduate students pay $35,798 per year. Additional fees and costs for room and board are estimated at $12,342 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students, and around 67% of VCU students receive some form of financial assistance.
VCU Admissions
VCU has an acceptance rate of 87%, making it a moderately competitive university for admissions. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.7, and the average SAT score is between 1100 and 1300. VCU also accepts ACT scores, with the average range being between 22 and 28.
VCU Degrees Offered
Virginia Commonwealth University offers over 200 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Some of the most popular majors at VCU include Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business and Marketing, Communication and Journalism, Engineering, and Health Professions.
VCU Academics
VCU is known for its focus on research and innovation, with numerous research centers and institutes on campus. The university also offers a variety of academic support services, including tutoring, academic advising, and career services. VCU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1.
VCU Diversity
VCU has a diverse student body, with 52% of students identifying as racial or ethnic minorities. The university also has a significant international student population, with students from over 100 countries represented on campus.
VCU Students
VCU has a total enrollment of approximately 30,000 students, with around 24,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 graduate students. The majority of students are from Virginia, with around 89% of undergraduate students being in-state residents.
VCU Campus
VCU’s campus is located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, offering a vibrant and diverse urban environment for students. The university has a range of on-campus housing options, as well as numerous off-campus options in the surrounding city.
VCU Alumni
VCU has a strong alumni network, with over 190,000 alumni worldwide. These alumni remain engaged with the university through various programs and events, providing networking and mentoring opportunities for current students.
VCU Rankings
VCU is ranked #157 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, and #84 in Top Public Schools. The university’s art and design programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation.
VCU Outcomes
VCU has a graduation rate of 67%, with 84% of those graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for VCU graduates is around $48,000.
MTSU Overview
Middle Tennessee State University, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a public university founded in 1911. MTSU offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, with a focus on liberal arts and professional studies. The university is known for its strong programs in music, aerospace, and business.
MTSU Costs & Tuition
MTSU’s tuition for in-state undergraduate students is $9,424 per year, while out-of-state undergraduate students pay $27,742 per year. Additional fees and costs for room and board are estimated at $9,512 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students, and around 94% of MTSU students receive some form of financial assistance.
MTSU Admissions
MTSU has an acceptance rate of 94%, making it a less competitive university for admissions compared to VCU. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.4, and the average SAT score is between 1030 and 1240. MTSU also accepts ACT scores, with the average range being between 19 and 26.
MTSU Degrees Offered
Middle Tennessee State University offers over 180 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Some of the most popular majors at MTSU include Business and Marketing, Communication and Journalism, Education, Health Professions, and Social Sciences.
MTSU Academics
MTSU has a strong focus on experiential learning and professional development, with many programs offering internship and practical experience opportunities. The university also provides academic support services, including tutoring, academic advising, and career services. MTSU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1.
MTSU Diversity
MTSU has a diverse student body, with 34% of students identifying as racial or ethnic minorities. The university also has a small international student population, with students from over 65 countries represented on campus.
MTSU Students
MTSU has a total enrollment of approximately 22,000 students, with around 19,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students. The majority of students are from Tennessee, with around 89% of undergraduate students being in-state residents.
MTSU Campus
MTSU’s campus is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is a suburban area with easy access to Nashville. The university offers a variety of on-campus housing options, as well as off-campus options in the surrounding community.
MTSU Alumni
MTSU has a large alumni network, with over 130,000 alumni worldwide. These alumni remain engaged with the university through various programs and events, providing networking and mentoring opportunities for current students.
MTSU Rankings
MTSU is ranked #298-#389 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, and #157-#209 in Top Public Schools. The university’s music and aerospace programs are highly regarded in their respective fields.
MTSU Outcomes
MTSU has a graduation rate of 44%, with 82% of those graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for MTSU graduates is around $45,000.
VCU vs MTSU Cost Comparison
VCU has a higher tuition for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students compared to MTSU. In-state tuition for VCU is $14,710 per year, while MTSU’s in-state tuition is $9,424 per year. Out-of-state tuition for VCU is $35,798 per year, while MTSU’s out-of-state tuition is $27,742 per year. Room and board costs are also higher at VCU, with an estimated cost of $12,342 per year, compared to MTSU’s estimated cost of $9,512 per year. Both universities offer financial aid to eligible students, with a higher percentage of MTSU students receiving financial assistance (94% vs 67%).
VCU vs MTSU Admissions Difficulty
MTSU has a higher acceptance rate compared to VCU, indicating that it is less competitive for admissions. MTSU’s acceptance rate is 94%, while VCU’s acceptance rate is 87%. The average GPA and test scores of admitted students are also slightly lower at MTSU compared to VCU.
VCU vs MTSU Academic Difficulty
Both VCU and MTSU have a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, suggesting that classroom sizes and faculty accessibility are similar at both universities. However, VCU’s focus on research and more competitive admissions may indicate a higher level of academic rigor compared to MTSU.
VCU vs MTSU Outcome Comparison
VCU has a higher graduation rate compared to MTSU, with 67% of students graduating compared to MTSU’s 44%. Additionally, VCU graduates have a higher average starting salary ($48,000) than MTSU graduates ($45,000). Both universities have similar rates of employment within six months of graduation, with 84% of VCU graduates and 82% of MTSU graduates finding employment.
