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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 institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 92%. The freshman retention rate at Virginia Commonwealth University is 85.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 63%.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Virginia Commonwealth University.
Quick Facts
21,210
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Read on to find out some important data about admission policy and requirements at Virginia Commonwealth University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 19,566 in 2025. Virginia Commonwealth University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate.
Test Scores
34.5% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 3.5% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 6.68% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 32.89% between 1,200 and 1,399, 40.83% between 1,000 and 1,199, 17.83% of the students between 800 and 999, and 1.77% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 29.19, 39.13 between 24-29, 22.98 in the range between 18-23, and 8.7 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.63. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Virginia Commonwealth University was 85.3%, 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 academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal place for you is not easy. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2025 was 28,464.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 6.03% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 21,210, 379 of which were foreign students. 1,413 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,473 male and 15,162 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 2,869 Asian students and 4,797 Afro-American students in 2025. 2,514 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,695 as multirace. The school also had 31 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 56 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 320 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
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. Tuition costs at Virginia Commonwealth University for international students stood at $35,674. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,520.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,674 | $3,520 | $39,194 |
| In-State | $13,200 | $3,520 | $16,720 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,240.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Virginia Commonwealth University was $14,268 in 2025. If you only wanted a room on the campus, you had to pay $8,398 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 13,200 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,268 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,240 |
| Total Expense | $ 28,708 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish 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 records show that 3,049 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $17,322.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 10,477 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 11,617. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $38,787,235, and state $55,162,748. The students of Virginia Commonwealth University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $43,482,093, and external in the amount of $12,785,813.
$6,887
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 529 students overall (including freshmen) at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2025. 209 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 $38,787,235 while the state aid is $194,710. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $13,513,075. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $21,375,654 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Virginia Commonwealth University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 2,167 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 979 male and 1,163 female faculty members. 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
Not everything at Virginia Commonwealth University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Its campus spans 198 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 677 open-membership organizations at Virginia Commonwealth University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for 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 emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical 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. There is 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.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 53,427 USD.
$53,427
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Virginia Commonwealth University is 92%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Virginia Commonwealth University is 85.3%.
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.