V
#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

VCU Admission Requirements

Richmond, Virginia

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Your chances of getting into Virginia Commonwealth University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91%
Admission Difficulty for Virginia Commonwealth University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at VCU is 91%.  Its admission rate is the 37th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into VCU and can you get accepted?

Virginia Commonwealth University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 16,600 out of the 18,242 who applied were admitted.

Virginia Commonwealth University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into VCU?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Virginia Commonwealth University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1160 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

VCU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Virginia Commonwealth University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into VCU are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.75 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as VCU accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at VCU is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. 34% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #8 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since VCU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Virginia Commonwealth University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.63% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.71% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.85% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.38% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 11.24% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.96% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.22% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

VCU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Virginia Commonwealth University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 32% of students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1030-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

32%
SAT Scores for Virginia Commonwealth University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1030
SAT Scores for Virginia Commonwealth University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1160

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Virginia Commonwealth University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at VCU is 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1030-1290. Students who get into Virginia Commonwealth University score in the top 55 percent of all SAT test takers..  VCU ranks #19 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. VCU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1030 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1030, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Virginia Commonwealth University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1160, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

Virginia Commonwealth University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >95%
1160 to 1290 Avg + 91%-95%
1030 to 1160 Avg - 84%-91%
900 to 1030 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 900 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

VCU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

4%
ACT Scores for Virginia Commonwealth University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Virginia Commonwealth University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into VCU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to VCU is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 30.  The school ranks #16 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

4 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Virginia Commonwealth University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Virginia Commonwealth University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into VCU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 30 ACT score.

Virginia Commonwealth University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >95%
26 to 30 Avg + 91%-95%
22 to 26 Avg - 84%-91%
18 to 22 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 18 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

79% of Virginia Commonwealth University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 45% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Virginia Commonwealth University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17.79%
Top 25% of class 45.31%
Top 50% of class 79%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Virginia Commonwealth University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,519 6,723 18,242
Accepted 10,594 6,006 16,600
Acceptance Rate 92% 89% 91%
Enrolled 2,712 1,455 4,167
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 26% 24% 25%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 18, 2025

Days left to Apply

55

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 18, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Virginia Commonwealth University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Virginia Commonwealth University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Virginia Commonwealth University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Virginia Commonwealth University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.75 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1160 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Virginia Commonwealth University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234030 IPEDS survey data for Virginia Commonwealth University.

Last updated February 24, 2024