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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 89%. The freshman retention rate at Virginia State University is 71% and the six-year graduation rate is 44%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is May 1. The transfer application deadline is May 1.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Virginia State University.
Quick Facts
4,829
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
44%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Virginia State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 9,424 in 2022. Virginia State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses 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
14% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 2% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 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 accepted 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.
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. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2022, the freshman retention rate for Virginia State University was 71%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 44%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best place for you. 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 total number of students enrolled at Virginia State University in 2022 was 5,190.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 25% for that year. There was a total of 4,829 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 30 international students. 265 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,938 male and 2,872 female full-time students in 2022.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. 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.
This school had 15 Asian students and 4,449 Afro-American students in 2022. There were also 157 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Virginia State University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $5,701. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $17,532 in 2022. Tuition costs at Virginia State University for international students amounted to $17,532. Full-time students in 2022 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $4,342.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $17,532 | $4,342 | $21,874 |
| In-State | $5,701 | $4,342 | $10,043 |
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 cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,300.
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 colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Virginia State University was $13,355 in 2022. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $7,698, according to the data from 2022.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 5,701 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,355 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,300 |
| Total Expense | $ 20,356 |
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 information 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. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $12,695.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
2,936 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 3,670. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $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. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 231 full-time freshman. 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. $1,214,489 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
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 2022, this ratio at Virginia State University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,110 faculty members at this school. This number included 498 men and 612 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Virginia State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
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 details about students' life at Virginia State University.
It has a campus size of 236 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
There are 54 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Sankofa, followed by Diversified Virtue Entertainment and The Betterment of Brothers and Sisters. Other popular organizations at Virginia State University are Golden Key Honor Society and AbstraKt Entertainment.
Students who like music can join the Virginia State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Virginia State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Virginia State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. 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
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Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, 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 reported acceptance rate for Virginia State University is 89%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Virginia State University is 71%.
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.