Richmond, VA · Public · 20,753 undergraduates · urban
Virginia Commonwealth University
Less selective
VCU is an urban research university where arts, design, health sciences, business, and engineering coexist directly inside downtown Richmond.
Institutional profile
Well established Solid in mobility, and solid in student experience.- Admission
- 93.1% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 68.8%
19,052 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$58,128 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Virginia Commonwealth University apart
Academic design
VCU Arts and the health-sciences schools are especially prominent alongside engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences.
Campus pattern
Academic buildings and residences are embedded in Richmond neighborhoods rather than isolated on a suburban campus.
Career & value signal
Richmond provides access to state government, healthcare, finance, advertising, design, nonprofits, and major employers.
Can I get in?
93.1% admitted
Many arts and design programs require portfolios, auditions, or other program-specific materials.
Recent applicant pool
19,052About 93 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 35% submitted an SAT, and 4% submitted an ACT. Because ACT scores came from few admitted students, the range describes that self-selected group rather than the full class.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Virginia Commonwealth University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Virginia Commonwealth University weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
VCU Arts and the health-sciences schools are especially prominent alongside engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences.
Make institutional fit specific
VCU is an urban research university where arts, design, health sciences, business, and engineering coexist directly inside downtown Richmond.
Use the application route carefully
Many arts and design programs require portfolios, auditions, or other program-specific materials.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Many arts and design programs require portfolios, auditions, or other program-specific materials.
Fee waiver: accepted
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
Performing and visual artsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
BusinessAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Communication and journalismAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Computer scienceAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Teacher preparationAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
EngineeringAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
NursingAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Virginia Commonwealth University
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Psychology, General
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Admits separately
Biology, General
Design and Applied Arts
Admits separately
Criminal Justice and Corrections
What is campus life like?
Virginia Commonwealth University beyond the classroom
Academic buildings and residences are embedded in Richmond neighborhoods rather than isolated on a suburban campus.
A defining academic feature
VCU Arts and the health-sciences schools are especially prominent alongside engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences.
What shapes an ordinary week
Academic buildings and residences are embedded in Richmond neighborhoods rather than isolated on a suburban campus.
Where the degree can lead
Richmond provides access to state government, healthcare, finance, advertising, design, nonprofits, and major employers.