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Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Formed by the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University is a 4-year public institution in Richmond. VCU is home to 20 colleges and is the state’s only university to offer schools of Allied Health Professions, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Additionally, VCU features the first school of social work in the South and is renowned for conducting the first organ transplant in Virginia. For students interested in the arts, the VCU campus hosts the Institute for Contemporary Art where admission is free.

Acceptance Rate:
91%
Average Net Price:
$20,566
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
3.7
Average ACT Composite
25
Average SAT Composite
1172

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$20,566
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$16,233
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$38,817
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$16,119
Books and Supplies
$1240

Aid & Grants

0
100
55%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
30%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,583
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
30%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,619
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,178

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
47%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,807
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,750
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$215

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
91%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is not checked
No

Important Deadlines

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
92%
Out-Of-State Students
6%
4%
Submitting ACT
32%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 25
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1172
0
1600

Admissions Resources

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
28,082
Total Number of Undergrads
20,958
0
100
44%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
66%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
125

Faculty Overview

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
37%
63%
Residency
In-State Students
92%
Out-Of-State Students
6%

Housing

0
100
16%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Rams
School Colors
black and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$49,700
I currently a student at VCU returning for my sophomore year and I must say that I am excited to get back to Richmond, VA this fall. As an engineering student I can tell that the education that I am receiving from VCU presents me as well as others attending this diverse university, with a chance to master subject areas even with no prior knowledge of any particular subject area. The past two semesters at VCU I mastered programs such as Microsoft Excel and MatLab that I had no prior knowledge of, but would have eventually needed for the real-world. In addition I learned all of the basics, and then some for the program Solidworks, a staple for a large majority of engineering fields, because of the programs' modeling capabilities.
The professors here are highly trained, well educated professionals as well. Every professor has office hours, and they are willing to assist every student with their work no matter how large the class is. I never had to hesitate to send an email, or call my professor at their office. In addition, the majority of the professors at VCU have Student Instructors at hand in the class room. These SI's hold their own individual free tutoring sessions at flexible times throughout the semester. I was able to get great help for my chemistry course thanks to my professors SI. Attend VCU, and I assure you that you will receive a high quality education.
Jerrod from Centreville, VA
I don't have to tell you that VCU is quite a large university. Especially within the first few years here, most of one's classes will be larger lecture classes. Even so, all the professors I've had have let it be known to the students that they're open for individual consulting as long the student is willing to make it happen.

Like at any university, a VCU student will realize how to learn based mostly on their own capabilities. The professors will provide you with a firm foundation of the material but ultimately, it's in the students hands how far to excel with the material. What I love about the professors at VCU is that they are still there for students, despite the enormity of some of the classes.
Janet from Richmond, VA
I am currently a freshman at VCU, I actually have my finals for this semester starting this week. This semester, as my first semester ever of college, has been very educational. As this is VCU, it is a very diverse campus and creates a huge area where you can learn about different cultures and people. As well as those who love to voice their opinions in the compass.
The teachers are really down to earth, especially the Focused Inquiry teachers, which is a class you have to take your freshman year, if you do not already have English credits. Those classes will really help you adjust and learn everything you can, and be able to think deeply about it.
Caroline from Ford, VA
Like any college, it forces you to learn how to study, which is hard when there are so many distractions! Nothing is spoon-fed to you, but the professors are very accessible and whenever you feel like you need help, they are there to help. They also really want you to learn, and they will push you. Like the other reviews said, there are a lot of extra support if you feel a little lost-- the school offers free one-on-one tutoring, drop-in tutoring, and SI sessions.
Kalyann from Gainesville, VA
I definitely have learned a lot since I have been at VCU. Both of my studio classes have been challenging. Time Studio was the most challenging as I had little experience in this discipline prior to this class. However, I now feel more adept at movie making , with its editing and computer manipulations. Surface was the more familiar of the two since there was a lot of drawing involved. Rhetoric was my least favorite, as writing has always been more difficult for me than other academic things. However, after writing an in-depth research paper, I feel that my writing skills have immensely improved over what they were previously.
Amanda from Winston Salem, NC
virginia commonwealth university is a terrific school.i don't recommend this school to someone who isn't use to a big city. also if you don't like big classrooms with 150 plus students, i don't recommend it.
Christa from Lynchburg, VA
Since i have been here i have learned a lot. Being an art major everything is hands on and you are given the opportunity to advance your skills in many ways. I have learned skills academically as well as artistically, though mainly artistically.
Breonca from miami, FL
Though this is my first semester here at VCU, I am enjoying the classes in which I am enrolled in. Some of the classes I am taking are general education classes that I must take and others are prerequisites for my major. I am always open to learning new material because that is how a person acquires knowledge. If I was not open minded then I would not enjoy my classes and I probably would not do so well in my classes as well. The teachers here are exceptional, so far, and have made sure to show their students that they are here to help, even after class hours.
Kaleigh from Williamsburg, VA
It's true that Virginia Commonwealth University may not be known for its academic potential, but the lack of praise for this school is misleading to all prospective students. Professors are always willing and able to help you inside and outside of class. If you ever feel uncomfortable, or for what ever reason, are unable to seek help from your professor, VCU offers countless resources. First of all, there are plenty of ads for tutors and all over the school, and your professor can often times lead you to a student who is doing well in the class and can help you. The tutoring center offers walk-in and scheduled tutoring for all students at all times of the day. There are also Supplemental Instruction Leaders for certain classes that hold review sessions outside of class likewise with Teaching Assistants. VCU makes it so that if you want to learn, you are presented with every opportunity to do so.
Stacy from Centreville, VA
vcu is fun, diverse, and very welcoming. all of the faculty are very helpful, and i have never had a problem that they were not able to solve. the courses can be challenging, but that's a good thing!
bethany from richmond, va