Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Petersburg, Virginia |
| Online | vsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Virginia State University is a public, historically black university located in Petersburg, Virginia, just 24 miles south of Richmond. Founded in 1882, it stands on a 231-acre campus known for its historic structures and buildings of Georgian architecture. Emphasizing the liberal arts, education, business, and the sciences, the university provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. With a moderately selective admissions process, Virginia State strives to maintain a diverse and dynamic student body. On-campus living is accommodated through a range of residential halls and apartment-style housing options. The university is renowned for programs in engineering, agriculture, and education. While Virginia State competes in NCAA Division II athletics, the university is particularly notable for its achievements in basketball and football, with teams participating under the moniker the Trojans.
In the most recent statistical year 8,230 prospective students applied, and 7,384 were granted admission. Of those admitted 1,382 enrolled in the school. 4,286 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 362 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $5,540 plus fees of $4,114. VSU is ranked 980 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
VSU is rated within the lower 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#980 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#407 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#29 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#14 in Best Public Colleges in Virginia
#71 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 830/1030 |
| ACT | 14/17 |
| GPA | 2.85 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $4,114 |
| Room and Board | $11,544 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,675 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,173 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $4,114 |
| Room and Board | $11,544 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,675 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,175 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Education | 14% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 10% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| General Studies | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Virginia State University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234155 IPEDS survey data for Virginia State University.
Current students may use the Virginia State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024