Acceptance Rate
93%
Avg. SAT
1270
75th percentile
“Richmond's urban fusion of top-ranked arts, health sciences, and media programs amid a gritty creative scene.”
Richmond, VA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Virginia Commonwealth University formed in 1968 from the merger of the historic Medical College of Virginia, founded in 1838, and the Richmond Professional Institute, creating a powerhouse in arts and health fields. You'll find two distinct campuses: the academic Monroe Park and the medical-focused MCV, straddling downtown Richmond's evolving neighborhoods. Students who thrive here embrace city energy, dive into hands-on creative work, and navigate a commuter-heavy vibe where independence matters more than quad strolls.
Richmond offers affordable living compared to coastal cities, with riverfront trails, street art murals, and indie music venues steps from campus. The school's personality mixes artistic flair with practical training, attracting motivated doers over traditional ivy seekers. Tradeoffs include a spread-out urban layout that demands good navigation skills and less centralized campus community than smaller colleges.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
VCU shines in visual arts through VCUarts, one of the largest and most respected programs nationally, where you'll sketch in sunlit studios or film on city streets. Health sciences and mass communications draw crowds too, with nursing and advertising students tackling real-world projects early. Classrooms buzz in smaller upper-level seminars, but introductory lectures pack hundreds in this large public university.
Research opportunities abound at the medical campus, from biotech labs to patient simulations, though undergrads compete for spots amid 23,000 peers. Faculty encourage collaboration over lectures, fostering a gritty, idea-driven culture. Popular majors like art and business fill quickly, so early declaration helps secure your path.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
21,210 undergrad • 7,254 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
42%
Black / African American
19%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
13%
Other / Multi-racial
15%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Richmond, VA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with urban rhythm: you'll grab coffee at campus spots, hit Rams basketball games at Siegel Center, or join late-night design critiques. Residential halls house about half of freshmen, but many upperclassmen scatter into Richmond's walkable Fan District for apartments amid Victorian homes and taquerias. Weekends mix house parties, First Fridays art walks, and brewery crawls rather than frat-dominated bashes.
The social scene favors creative clubs and city adventures over Greek life, which claims under 10 percent. Challenges include humid summers, traffic-clogged commutes, and a less intimate feel from the sheer scale. Still, the vibe energizes those who plug into the artsy undercurrent.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic 10 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
85%
4 Years Graduation Rate
56%
6 Years Graduation Rate
70%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$58,128
85% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University and return in the fall. 56% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 70% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
56%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
28%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$12,472
Acceptance
93%
Undergrads
21,210
4-Year Grad Rate
56%
Endowment
$2.6B
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
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