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Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a highly regarded public research university located in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1838 as the Medical College of Virginia, VCU has since evolved into a comprehensive institution providing a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study. With a student population of over 31,000, including international students from around the world, VCU offers a diverse and vibrant learning environment.
VCU is renowned for its strong programs in health sciences and the arts. The university's School of Medicine consistently ranks among the top medical schools in the nation, while the Schools of Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy are also highly regarded. Additionally, VCU's School of the Arts is recognized for its prestigious programs in visual and performing arts, attracting talented students and faculty members who contribute to the thriving arts scene in the Richmond community.
The university takes pride in its commitment to research and innovation. VCU is classified as a Carnegie Tier 1 Research University, indicating its high level of research activity. This designation allows students at all levels to engage in cutting-edge research across disciplines. VCU's numerous research centers and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and delve into fields such as engineering, business, public policy, and social sciences. Overall, VCU offers a unique educational experience, blending academic excellence with practical application and a vibrant campus life.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, VA and set in an urban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 92%. The freshman retention rate at Virginia Commonwealth University is 86% and the six-year graduation rate is 65%.
Here are some latest information on important things to consider about Virginia Commonwealth University.
Quick Facts
21,205
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
92%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
65%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Discover some important data about admission at Virginia Commonwealth University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 17,886 in 2024.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 34% and ACT scores 3%. 7% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 33% between 1,200 and 1,399, 41% between 1,000 and 1,199, 18% between 800 and 999, and 2% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 29, 39 between 24-29, 23 in the range between 18-23, and 9 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.7. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Virginia Commonwealth University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 596 and an average SAT Math score of 569.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Virginia Commonwealth University was 86% in 2024, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 65%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 28,238 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 6.1% for that year. There was a total of 21,205 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 364 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,424.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,334 male and 15,072 female full-time students in 2024, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. 1,646 full-time graduate men and 3,251 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 2,946, and the number of African American students was 4,489. 2,424 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,665 identified with more than one race. The school also had 30 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 51 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 361 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Virginia Commonwealth University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $13,200 for area residents. Tuition fees were $35,674 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $35,674, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $3,520 in 2024.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,674 | $3,520 | $39,194 |
| In-State | $13,200 | $3,520 | $16,720 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,250.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Virginia Commonwealth University was $18,254 per academic year.
| Tuition | $ 13,200 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,254 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,250 |
| Total Expense | $ 32,704 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for most students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Virginia Commonwealth University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,690 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $15,383 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 11,050 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 11,103. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $34,939,541, and state $39,398,349. The students of Virginia Commonwealth University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $44,005,021, and external in the amount of $9,081,537.
$7,557
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 610 students overall (including freshmen) at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2024. 222 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $34,939,541 while the state aid is $580,519. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $12,957,788. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $20,095,814 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at Virginia Commonwealth University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 972 men and 1,137 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about students' life at Virginia Commonwealth University.
It has a campus size of 198 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 544. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. For students interested in media and communication, Virginia Commonwealth University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Virginia Commonwealth University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Virginia Commonwealth University.
All in all, campus life at Virginia Commonwealth University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Career Counselling
At Virginia Commonwealth University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Virginia Commonwealth University is 92%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Virginia Commonwealth University is 86%.
Contact Information
Virginia Commonwealth University,
901 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA
23284-9005
804 828-0100
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.