VCU's tuition & fees has increased from $31,463 (2015) to $39,884 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 26.76% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $24,627 (year 2015) to $32,470 (year 2025).
VCU's tuition increase rate is higher than the Virginia's average increase rate of 24.89%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 35.06% from 2015 ($48,667).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, VCU's COA is $65,732, which is increased by 5.09% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to VCU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 26.76% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $35,674. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Virginia Commonwealth University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,250, and it has decreased -55.42% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $2,804 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $2,804 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $2,860 | 2.00% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $2,860 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $2,860 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,500 | -47.55% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,240 | -17.33% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,240 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,240 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,250 | 0.81% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 39.57% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 35.28% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $14,400 | $14,970 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $14,400 | $14,400 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $14,688 | $14,688 | 2.00% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $14,688 | $14,688 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $15,266 | $15,266 | 3.94% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $16,787 | $16,787 | 9.96% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $17,549 | $20,302 | 4.54% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $17,999 | $20,302 | 2.56% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $22,269 | $23,088 | 23.72% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $24,598 | $26,740 | 10.46% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Virginia Commonwealth University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $39,884
($16,720) | $38,817
($16,233) | 2.75% |
|---|
|
| Duquesne University | $48,986
($36,394) | $47,146
($36,394) | 3.90% |
|---|
|
| University of Dayton | $49,140
($41,750) | $47,600
($41,750) | 3.24% |
|---|
|
| Davidson College | $64,430
($49,949) | $60,050
($49,949) | 7.29% |
|---|
|
| St Bonaventure University | $41,735
($33,331) | $40,150
($33,331) | 3.95% |
|---|
|
| University of Richmond | $65,230
($50,910) | $62,600
($50,910) | 4.20% |
|---|
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