VSU Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 88.63%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 945. Below average SAT scores, indicating a less competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $10,043
- Out-of-State Tuition: $22,650
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at VSU:
- Total Enrollment: 5,605, including 190 online students
- 5,124 Undergraduate, 481 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 40.3% men, 59.7% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 39%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 69%. Lower retention, which may reflect challenges in student engagement or support.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 61 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 1 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 17 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
VSU Overview
Virginia State University (VSU) is a four-year, public school located in Petersburg, VA. It is a historically black college/university. Virginia State University was newly upgraded to an R2 University from a Master's College and University (medium programs)
in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The VSU's tuition & fees is $10,043 for Virginia residents and $22,650 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 91% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $15,647.
The school has a total enrollment of 5,605 and the students to faculty ratio is 13 to 1 (7.69%).
VSU's acceptance rate is 88.63% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 14.27%. The median SAT score is 945 and the ACT score is 18.
VSU ranked 33rd in Virginia Colleges rankings. Virginia State University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Virginia State University is $10,043 for in-state students and $22,650 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $13,218 for in-state students and $24,860 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $10,340 for Virginia residents and $23,313 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $13,606 for Virginia residents and $25,587 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $10,043 | $22,650 |
|---|
| Graduate | $13,218 | $24,860 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $10,340 | $23,313 |
|---|
| Graduate | $13,606 | $25,587 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Virginia State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at VSU
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Virginia State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing VSU