Virginia Commonwealth Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, with about 20,753 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 92.62% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $58,128 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,945
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,433 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 92.62% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 20,753 89.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 63.18%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 27.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 61.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1137
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,937
- Applicants (IPEDS): 19,052
- Room & Board: $18,254 annual estimate
Virginia Commonwealth University: what the data shows
Common questions about Virginia Commonwealth University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA (ZIP 23284-2512).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University public or private?
Virginia Commonwealth University is a Public institution.
How much does Virginia Commonwealth University cost?
Published tuition: $16,945 in-state, $40,109 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $23,433.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $17,512 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,777 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,925 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,691 |
| $110,001+ | $32,739 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $67,780.
How hard is it to get into Virginia Commonwealth University?
Admission rate: 92.62%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1137 and midpoint ACT 25.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Virginia Commonwealth University?
Total enrollment: 20,753 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 22,937 students.
Graduate enrollment: 7,254 students.
About 90% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University?
150%-time completion rate: 63.18%.
First-year retention: 85.3%.
What do graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn?
Median earnings: $47,161 six years after entry; $58,128 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
31.19% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Virginia Commonwealth University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (580 completions)
- Social Work (455 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (347 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (346 completions)
- Health Teacher Education (278 completions)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies (204 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (203 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (199 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (184 completions)
- Medicine (175 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 92.62%; completion rate 63.18%; median earnings $58,128 at 10 years; net price $23,433. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$16,945
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University was $16,945.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,433
2024 Value
In 2024 Virginia Commonwealth University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,433.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$93,732 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,433 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$67,780 4-Year In-State Tuition
$160,436 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$18,254 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,250 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$36,449 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$145,796 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
31.19% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
38.78% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Virginia Commonwealth University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Virginia Commonwealth University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,002 | $29,473 | $18,354 |
| 2014 | $12,398 | $30,459 | $20,723 |
| 2015 | $12,772 | $31,464 | $21,741 |
| 2016 | $13,130 | $32,287 | $21,405 |
| 2017 | $13,624 | $33,656 | $21,655 |
| 2018 | $14,493 | $35,834 | $21,313 |
| 2019 | $14,596 | $35,904 | $22,021 |
| 2020 | $14,710 | $36,048 | $20,490 |
| 2021 | $15,319 | $36,657 | $18,904 |
| 2022 | $15,828 | $37,786 | $20,405 |
| 2023 | $16,458 | $39,042 | $19,452 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
92.62% Acceptance Rate
19,052 Total Applicants
17,729 Students Admitted
4,519 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.49% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1137
ACT Average: 25
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Virginia Commonwealth University reported total enrollment of about 20,753 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (38.8%), Black or African American (23.2%), and Asian (13.9%). About 31.19% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 27.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2024 is 20,753 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 22,937 students. Graduate enrollment is about 7,254 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
85.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 38.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
45.59% 100% Completion Time
63.18% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 45.59% of students graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
- Social Work: 10% male / 90% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 28% male / 72% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$58,128 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
36.99% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
520.15% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 143 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 580 completions
2. Social Work: 455 completions
3. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 347 completions
4. Business/Commerce, General: 346 completions
5. Health Teacher Education: 278 completions
6. Mass Communication/Media Studies: 204 completions
7. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 203 completions
8. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 199 completions
9. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 184 completions
Most popular programs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Virginia Commonwealth University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Virginia Commonwealth University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,401
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $16,705
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, VA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Social Work, Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 20,753 students. Student body composition includes White (38.8%), Black or African American (23.2%), Asian (13.9%). The admission rate is 92.62%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1137. The 150%-time completion rate is 63.18%. Approximately 31.19% of students receive Pell Grants. About 27.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 143 distinct degree programs, Virginia Commonwealth University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is VCU located?
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, VA. The institution is also known as VCU.
What is VCU's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is 92.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 19,052 applicants and 17,729 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does VCU cost?
Reported tuition is $16,945 and average net price is $23,433 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,254 annually.
What is the student body demographics at VCU?
Virginia Commonwealth University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 22,937 students, White (38.8%), Black or African American (23.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend VCU?
About 27.6% of students at Virginia Commonwealth University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Virginia Commonwealth University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Virginia Commonwealth University reports midpoint SAT about 1137 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn?
Median earnings are $47,161 six years after entry and $58,128 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 63.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Virginia Commonwealth University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University public or private?
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, VA.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University an HBCU?
No. Virginia Commonwealth University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University a tribal college?
No. Virginia Commonwealth University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- Richmond, Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.