Virginia State University campus

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VSU Demographics & Diversity

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Petersburg, VA
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#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Extremely Low

Racial Diversity Index: 13%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at VSU are mostly Black with a small White population. The school has extremely low racial diversity. 97% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Virginia State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community.

Racial demographics of Virginia State University students
Race Percent of Students
White
3%
Black
87%
Hispanic
2%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
0%
International
0%
Race Unknown
7%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 48%

There are 48% more female students than male students enrolled at Virginia State University with a gender ratio of 60% women to 40% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, VSU has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Virginia State University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
40%
Women
60%
Enrollment by gender for Virginia State University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
2,259
Women
3,346

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 31%

VSU draws 68 percent of students from Virginia, 31 percent from other states, and 0 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Virginia, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Virginia State University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
68%
Out of State
31%
Foreign
0%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$59,119 per year

67% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

5,605
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 9.9%
Part-time undergraduates 4.8%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Virginia State University often consider these colleges

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

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026