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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 institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at Virginia State University is 69% and the six-year graduation rate is 39%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Virginia State University.
Quick Facts
5,124
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
39%
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. Here are the most relevant information you need to know about admission at Virginia State University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,436 in 2022. Virginia State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. 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
10% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 1% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 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 while the average GPA was 2.85.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to Virginia State University is May 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is May 1.
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. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2022, the freshman retention rate for Virginia State University was 69%.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 39%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Virginia State University in 2022 was 5,605.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 25% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 5,124, 30 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 265 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,130 male and 3,098 female full-time students in 2022.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2022, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 15, while the number of Black American students was 4,449. There were also 157 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important data 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 fees for this university.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $5,701 for area residents. Tuition fees were $17,532 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $17,532, as well. Full-time students in 2022 had 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. Most students have to set aside about $1,300 for books and supplies during their time at Virginia State University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2022, the price of room and board at Virginia State University was $13,355 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $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 help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Virginia State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 853 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $12,695.
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 obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall 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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-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 806 students overall (including freshmen) at Virginia State University in 2022. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 231 full-time freshmen. 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
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
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. This school has recently reported to have 522 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 246 men and 276 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
Not everything at Virginia State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Virginia State University.
Its campus spans 236 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 54 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The most popular student organization 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. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. 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 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. The school has 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Virginia State University is 88%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Virginia State University is 69%.
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.
