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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.

Virginia State University is a public university located in Petersburg, VA and set in a suburban environment. It has a campus size of 236 acres. This educational institution operates on 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.

Here are some vital information on important things to consider about Virginia State University.

Quick Facts

3,653

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

94%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Here are the most vital data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Virginia State University.

According to the most recent data, this institution 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 in cases when they are submitted by the student. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, 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 incoming freshmen 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 ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2022 was 17 and the average GPA was 2.85.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

The application deadline for this school is May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.

94%

Acceptance Rate

Retention Rate

The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.

The freshman retention rate for Virginia State University was 74% in 2022, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 44%.

Student Body

It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.

Main Student Body

In 2022, the institution had an enrollment of 3,653 students.

That year, the institution had 25% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 3,653 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 27 international students. 265 students were accepted as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,375 male and 2,132 female full-time students in 2022.

Student Population Diversity

Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 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 students of Asian origin was 13, and the number of Afro-American students was 3,453. The school also had 3 students who declared 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

Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider 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 State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.

If you are an area resident, your tuition was $5,540. Tuition fees were $17,038 for students coming from a different state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $17,038, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $1,215 in 2022.

Tuition Fees Total
Out-of-State $17,038 $1,215 $18,253
In-State $5,540 $1,215 $6,755

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 is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?

At Virginia State University, the 2022 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,890. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2022 added up to $6,946 for one academic year.

Tuition $ 5,540
Room and Board $ 11,890
Total Expense $ 17,430

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 State University, here are some recent data you should consider.

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

Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.

There were 2,936 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 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 financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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.

806 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2022. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 231 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. $1,214,489 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).

Majors

Campus Life

It is not all about learning and grades at Virginia State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about social life at Virginia State University.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.

The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 54. 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.

Those who have a talent for music can join the Virginia State University band or chorus. In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Virginia State University publishes its own newspaper.

Student Services

Virginia State University offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and safe life on campus.

24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.

There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Virginia State 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 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

Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, VA.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Virginia State University is 94%.

According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Virginia State University is 74%.

Contact Information

Virginia State University,

1 Hayden Drive

Petersburg, VA

23806-0001

804 524-5000

School Website

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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