Virginia Commonwealth University

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Richmond, VA
3.0 1 review

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

28,464

Location Richmond, Virginia
Website vcu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#465

Size Large
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in downtown Richmond, Virginia's capital city, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) operates two main campuses that span 173 acres through the city's urban core. The Monroe Park Campus houses most undergraduate programs amid a mix of modern and historic buildings, while the MCV Campus, home to the VCU Medical Center and health sciences programs, sits within Richmond's medical district. Founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College, VCU took its current form in 1968 through the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and Richmond Professional Institute. The university maintains strong academic programs in arts and design, ranked among the top in the nation, along with well-regarded programs in medicine, business, and social work. Freshmen are required to live on campus, with housing available in both traditional residence halls and apartment-style buildings throughout the urban campus setting.

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Ratings

VCU is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

Overall Rating

6 out of 10
Academics

7 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

4 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Virginia Commonwealth University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1010/1270
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 22/30
GPA 3.75

Acceptance Rate

92.6%

Applications Due Jan 18, 2027
Enrollment Rate 21.6%
Application Fee $75

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$16,945

Out of State Resident Tuition

$40,109

Breakdown

Tuition $16,945
Books and Supplies $1,250
Other Fees $3,745
Room and Board $18,254
Budget for Other Expenses $6,344
Total One Year Cost $46,538

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$47,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

53% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Virginia Commonwealth University are Business, Visual and Performing Arts, and Health Professions. 15% of students major in Business, 13% in Visual and Performing Arts, and 9% in Health Professions.