Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public four-year · City: Midsize
21,205undergraduates
93%admitted
Test-optionalSAT/ACT
$22,852average net price per year
65%graduate in 6 years
86%return for year two
Admissions
- Applicants
- 19,052
- Admitted
- 17,729
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Admit rate, women
- 94%
- Admit rate, men
- 92%
- Admitted students who enroll
- 25%
- First-year students
- 4,519
- SAT/ACT
- Test-optional
- Students who sent SAT scores
- 35%
- SAT reading and writing (middle 50%)
- 530-650
- SAT math (middle 50%)
- 500-620
- Students who sent ACT scores
- 4%
- ACT composite (middle 50%)
- 22-30
| High school GPA | Required |
|---|---|
| High school record | Required |
| College-prep coursework | Considered, not required |
| SAT or ACT scores | Considered, not required |
| Recommendations | Considered, not required |
| Essay or personal statement | Required |
| Class rank | Considered, not required |
| Demonstrated competencies | Required |
| English proficiency test | Required |
| Work experience | Considered, not required |
| Legacy status | Not considered |
Majors
70 undergraduate programs that awarded a degree or certificate last year, grouped by field. Numbers are how many were awarded.
Visual and performing arts (14)
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation Bachelor's (10 awarded)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production Bachelor's (62 awarded)
- Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry Bachelor's (27 awarded)
- Dance, General Bachelor's (15 awarded)
- Design and Applied Arts, Other Bachelor's (43 awarded)
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General Bachelor's (59 awarded)
- Fashion/Apparel Design Bachelor's (68 awarded)
- Graphic Design Bachelor's (67 awarded)
- Illustration Bachelor's (139 awarded)
- Interior Design Bachelor's (36 awarded)
- Music Performance, General Bachelor's (40 awarded)
- Painting Bachelor's (34 awarded)
- Photography Bachelor's (44 awarded)
- Sculpture Bachelor's (21 awarded)
Business, management, marketing, and related support services (8)
- Accounting Bachelor's (54 awarded)
- Business/Commerce, General Certificate (2-4 years) (19 awarded), Bachelor's (227 awarded)
- Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's (27 awarded)
- Finance and Financial Management Services, Other Bachelor's (11 awarded)
- Finance, General Bachelor's (74 awarded)
- Human Resources Development Bachelor's (3 awarded)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General Bachelor's (153 awarded)
- Real Estate Bachelor's (18 awarded)
Psychology (1)
- Psychology, General Bachelor's (518 awarded)
Biological and biomedical sciences (2)
- Bioinformatics Bachelor's (37 awarded)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General Bachelor's (341 awarded)
Education (6)
- Art Teacher Education Bachelor's (18 awarded)
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching Bachelor's (2 awarded)
- Elementary Education and Teaching Bachelor's (37 awarded)
- Health Teacher Education Bachelor's (278 awarded)
- Physical Education Teaching and Coaching Bachelor's (2 awarded)
- Special Education and Teaching, General Bachelor's (8 awarded)
Health professions and related programs (5)
- Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist Bachelor's (26 awarded)
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Bachelor's (16 awarded)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management Bachelor's (42 awarded)
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer Bachelor's (38 awarded)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse Bachelor's (203 awarded)
Computer and information sciences and support services (2)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General Certificate (2-4 years) (27 awarded), Bachelor's (131 awarded)
- Information Science/Studies Bachelor's (134 awarded)
Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services (3)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Bachelor's (139 awarded)
- Forensic Science and Technology Bachelor's (69 awarded)
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other Bachelor's (41 awarded)
Social sciences (4)
- Anthropology, General Bachelor's (22 awarded)
- Political Science and Government, General Bachelor's (127 awarded)
- Sociology, General Bachelor's (58 awarded)
- Urban Studies/Affairs Bachelor's (34 awarded)
Multi/interdisciplinary studies (3)
- Biological and Physical Sciences Bachelor's (72 awarded)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Certificate (2-4 years) (19 awarded)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's (147 awarded)
Engineering (5)
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's (50 awarded)
- Chemical Engineering Bachelor's (35 awarded)
- Computer Engineering, General Bachelor's (21 awarded)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Bachelor's (25 awarded)
- Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's (82 awarded)
Communication, journalism, and related programs (1)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies Bachelor's (178 awarded)
Physical sciences (2)
- Chemistry, General Bachelor's (89 awarded)
- Physics, General Bachelor's (9 awarded)
English language and literature/letters (1)
- English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's (87 awarded)
Public administration and social service professions (1)
- Social Work Bachelor's (83 awarded)
Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies (4)
- African-American/Black Studies Bachelor's (8 awarded)
- Area Studies, Other Bachelor's (33 awarded)
- Disability Studies Certificate (2-4 years) (10 awarded)
- Women's Studies Bachelor's (15 awarded)
History (1)
- History, General Bachelor's (61 awarded)
Natural resources and conservation (1)
- Environmental Studies Bachelor's (54 awarded)
Mathematics and statistics (1)
- Mathematics, General Bachelor's (36 awarded)
Philosophy and religious studies (2)
- Philosophy Bachelor's (20 awarded)
- Religion/Religious Studies Bachelor's (5 awarded)
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics (2)
- Foreign Languages and Literatures, General Bachelor's (11 awarded)
- Language Interpretation and Translation Certificate (2-4 years) (6 awarded)
Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology (1)
- Outdoor Education Certificate (2-4 years) (6 awarded)
Graduate programs (103)
- Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist Master's
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Clinical Research Coordinator Post-bachelor's certificate
- Dental Clinical Sciences, General Master's
- Dentistry Doctorate (professional)
- Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Post-bachelor's certificate
- Genetic Counseling/Counselor Master's
- Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other Post-bachelor's certificate
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Doctorate (research)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Healthcare Innovation Post-bachelor's certificate
- Medicine Doctorate (professional)
- Nurse Anesthetist Doctorate (research)
- Nursing Practice Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Nursing Science Doctorate (research)
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist Doctorate (research)
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Doctorate (research)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Pharmacy Doctorate (professional)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist Doctorate (research)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Post-bachelor's certificate
- Public Health Education and Promotion Doctorate (research)
- Public Health, General Master's
- Public Health, Other Post-bachelor's certificate, Doctorate (research)
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor Master's, Post-master's certificate
- Public Administration Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Social Work Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Art Teacher Education Master's
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Master's
- Curriculum and Instruction Master's
- Education, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities Post-bachelor's certificate
- Educational Administration and Supervision, Other Post-bachelor's certificate
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
- Elementary Education and Teaching Post-bachelor's certificate
- Physical Education Teaching and Coaching Master's
- Reading Teacher Education Master's, Post-master's certificate
- Special Education and Teaching, General Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Accounting Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Business Administration and Management, General Master's
- Business/Commerce, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Management Science Post-bachelor's certificate
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management Post-bachelor's certificate
- Real Estate Post-bachelor's certificate
- Anatomy Master's
- Biochemistry Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Bioinformatics Master's
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General Master's
- Biomedical Sciences, General Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Biostatistics Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Epidemiology Doctorate (research)
- Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Doctorate (research)
- Human/Medical Genetics Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Neuroscience Doctorate (research)
- Pharmacology Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Physiology, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Data Analytics, General Master's
- Gerontology Post-bachelor's certificate
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Master's
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Natural Sciences Post-bachelor's certificate, Doctorate (research)
- Sustainability Studies Post-bachelor's certificate
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Forensic Science and Technology Master's
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics Master's
- Geographic Information Science and Cartography Post-bachelor's certificate
- Social Sciences, Other Post-bachelor's certificate
- Sociology, General Master's
- Urban Studies/Affairs Master's
- Computer and Information Sciences, General Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Information Science/Studies Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Doctorate (research)
- Engineering, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Engineering, Other Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management Master's
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Design and Visual Communications, General Master's
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General Master's
- Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other Master's
- Clinical Psychology Doctorate (research)
- Counseling Psychology Doctorate (research)
- Health/Medical Psychology Doctorate (research)
- Psychology, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Chemistry, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Chemistry, Other Doctorate (research)
- Physics, Other Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other Doctorate (research)
- Mathematics, General Master's
- Statistics, General Post-bachelor's certificate
- Creative Writing Master's
- English Language and Literature, General Master's
- Adult Development and Aging Master's
- History, General Master's
- Public/Applied History Post-bachelor's certificate
- Nanotechnology Doctorate (research)
- Environmental Studies Master's
Cost and aid
- Tuition and fees, in-state
- $16,458
- Tuition and fees, out-of-state
- $39,042
- Housing and food on campus
- $16,119
- Books and supplies
- $1,240
- Other on-campus costs
- $6,150
- Total cost on campus, in-state
- $39,967
- Total cost on campus, out-of-state
- $62,551
- Total cost living at home
- $25,732
Published prices for 2023-24.
| Family income | Per year |
|---|---|
| $0-30,000 | $12,830 |
| $30,001-48,000 | $13,612 |
| $48,001-75,000 | $16,455 |
| $75,001-110,000 | $20,633 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,474 |
Net price is the full cost minus grants and scholarships, for full-time first-year students who got aid in 2022-23 and paid in-state tuition.
- First-year students who got any aid
- 100%
- Got grants or scholarships
- 99%
- Average grant or scholarship
- $12,433
- Got a grant from the college
- 99%
- Average grant from the college
- $6,925
- Undergraduates with a Pell grant
- 30%
- First-year students who borrowed
- 49%
- Average amount borrowed
- $7,737
Graduation
- Bachelor's in 4 years
- 47%
- Bachelor's in 5 years
- 62%
- Bachelor's in 6 years
- 65%
- Bachelor's in 8 years
- 70%
- Any degree in 6 years (all students)
- 65%
- Transferred to another college
- 20%
- Came back for year two
- 86%
| Pell grant students | 60% |
|---|---|
| Subsidized loan, no Pell | 64% |
| Neither | 70% |
| Group | Students | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,549 | 69% |
| Men | 1,561 | 59% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 7 | 29% (small group) |
| Asian | 644 | 72% |
| Black | 799 | 62% |
| Hispanic | 433 | 67% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 1 | 0% (small group) |
| White | 1,734 | 66% |
| Two or more races | 353 | 59% |
| Race unknown | 43 | 58% |
| International | 96 | 59% |
| Started | Students | Earned a degree or certificate here | Enrolled at another college |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started here, full-time | 4,075 | 69% | 20% |
| Started here, part-time | 15 | 20% (small group) | 33% |
| Transferred in, full-time | 2,313 | 73% | 19% |
| Transferred in, part-time | 555 | 70% | 18% |
Graduation rates follow students who started full-time for the first time in fall 2017. Groups under 20 students are marked because a few students change the rate a lot.
Students
- Total students
- 28,238
- Undergraduates
- 21,205
- Full-time undergraduates
- 18,595
- Part-time undergraduates
- 2,610
- Graduate students
- 7,033
- Students per faculty member
- 17 to 1
- First-year students from in state
- 92%
- From out of state
- 6%
- From other countries
- 1%
- Undergraduates age 25 and up
- 9%
- Undergraduates taking all classes online
- 6%
- Undergraduates registered with disability services
- 15%
| Women | 63% |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% |
| Asian | 14% |
| Black | 21% |
| Hispanic | 11% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0% |
| White | 41% |
| Two or more races | 8% |
| Race unknown | 2% |
| International | 2% |
Campus life
- Setting
- City: Midsize
- Address
- 910 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA, 23284-2512
- County
- Richmond City
- Type
- Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
- Highest degree
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship and professional practice
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Athletics
- NCAA
- Teams include
- basketball, baseball, cross country and track
- Offers
- Army ROTC, Study abroad, Undergraduate research, Teacher certification, Weekend or evening classes, Online programs, Credit for AP exams, On-campus child care, Yellow Ribbon (veterans)
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2022-23 to 2024-25 surveys), and the College Scorecard.