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Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA
Virginia State University (VSU) is a historically black public research university located in Petersburg, Virginia. Established in 1882, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education for African Americans in the country. VSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields including arts and sciences, business, engineering, agriculture, education, and health sciences. The university aims to provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment, empowering students to become critical thinkers, leaders, and responsible global citizens.
One of the distinguishing factors of Virginia State University is its commitment to research and innovation. The university encourages students and faculty to engage in meaningful research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to advancements in various disciplines. VSU has several research centers and institutes focusing on areas such as agriculture and natural resources, cybersecurity, urban agriculture, and urban education, offering valuable opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty and industry experts.
Beyond academics, VSU provides a vibrant campus life experience for its diverse student body. There are various student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams that foster a sense of belonging and encourage personal growth. The university's athletic program, the Trojans, competes in the NCAA Division II and offers a range of sports for both men and women. Additionally, VSU hosts cultural events, guest lectures, and community outreach programs, creating a dynamic and enriching environment for students to explore their interests and broaden their horizons.
Located in Petersburg, VA and set in a suburban environment, Virginia State University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The freshman retention rate at Virginia State University is 74% and the six-year graduation rate is 44%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Virginia State University.
Quick Facts
3,653
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
94%
Acceptance Rate
44%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Virginia State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,406 in 2022. Virginia State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
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 72% and ACT scores 20%. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 24-29 was 11, 27 in the range between 18-23, 60 between 12-17, and 2 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2022 was 17 while the average GPA was 2.85.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
94%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Virginia State University was 74% in 2022, 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 44%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Virginia State University in 2022 was 3,653.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 25. There was a total of 3,653 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 27 international students. The school admitted a total of 265 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,375 male and 2,132 female full-time students in 2022.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2022, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 13, and the number of Black American students was 3,453. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 52 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important information on Virginia State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $5,540. Tuition fees were $17,038 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $17,038, as well. Full-time students in 2022 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,215.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $17,038 | $1,215 | $18,253 |
| In-State | $5,540 | $1,215 | $6,755 |
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Virginia State University was $11,890 in 2022. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $6,946, according to the data from 2022.
| Tuition | $ 5,540 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,890 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,430 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Virginia State University.
According to the most recent data, 853 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $12,695 in financial help.
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 2,936 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 3,670. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $13,938,391, and state $8,416,258.
$1,000
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for 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 806 students overall (including freshmen) at Virginia State University in 2022. 231 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,037,217. 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 $1,214,489 USD.
Majors
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about social life at Virginia State University.
Its campus spans 236 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There are 54 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Sankofa, followed by Diversified Virtue Entertainment and The Betterment of Brothers and Sisters. Other popular student organizations at this school are Golden Key Honor Society and AbstraKt Entertainment.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Virginia State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? Virginia State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Virginia State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Virginia State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 State University.
Career Counselling
At Virginia State 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. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Virginia State University is 94%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Virginia State University is 74%.
Contact Information
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.