VSU Admission Requirements

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#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

VSU Admission Overview

VSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year VSU admitted 88.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 2.85 GPA (B) and SAT 840-1070 / ACT 14-20. VSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

88.6%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Virginia State University

Acceptance Rate

The VSU acceptance rate is 88.6%. Last year, 10,436 of 11,775 applicants were admitted. That is the 30th lowest acceptance rate in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

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

VSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Virginia State University typically attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 2.85. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

2.85

Typical High School Grades

B

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 2.85

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at VSU typically have around a 2.85 GPA (B) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have slightly below average high school grades. VSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #39 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 2.9 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

VSU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Virginia State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission or for merit scholarship review, though submitting scores is encouraged and will not hurt you. If you send more than one sitting, VSU superscores the SAT by combining the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores and superscores the ACT from the highest section scores. The SAT writing score is not used in the admission decision.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman-apply/

VSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

840-1070

Freshmen who sent SAT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 440
  • Math 400
  • Composite 840
SAT 25th percentile scores for Virginia State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 550
  • Math 520
  • Composite 1070
SAT 75th percentile scores for Virginia State University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at VSU typically score around a 960 SAT (middle 50% 840–1070) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 32nd percentile nationally. VSU ranks #36 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 840 to 1070

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

VSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 960 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Virginia State University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1070+ Above 75th >94%
960 to 1070 Avg + 89%-94%
840 to 960 Avg - 81%-89%
Below 840 Below mid-50 <81%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

14-20

Freshmen reporting ACT

1%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 14
ACT 25th percentile scores for Virginia State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 20
ACT 75th percentile scores for Virginia State University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at VSU typically have around a 17 ACT (mid-50 14–20) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 31st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. VSU places #33 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 14 to 20

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to VSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 17.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Virginia State University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
20+ Above 75th >94%
17 to 20 Avg + 89%-94%
14 to 17 Avg - 81%-89%
Below 14 Below mid-50 <81%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

57% of Virginia State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 17% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Virginia State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 5%
Top 25% of class 17%
Top 50% of class 57%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the VSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Virginia State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,733 4,033 11,775
Accepted 6,974 3,453 10,436
Acceptance Rate 90% 86% 89%
Enrolled 876 613 1,489
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 18% 14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Virginia State University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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 Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

243

Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Virginia State University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Virginia State University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

VSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 88.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 2.85 GPA (about an B average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (840-1070); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Virginia State University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234155.

GPA calculator: Virginia State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026