Virginia Commonwealth University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Richmond, Virginia · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university in Richmond, Virginia that admits about 84% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $23,433 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Biology, General and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 63% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. For the most recent reporting cycle, Virginia Commonwealth University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 84%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1140 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,433 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Virginia Commonwealth University?
60% of enrolled students at Virginia Commonwealth University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Virginia Commonwealth University weight in admissions?
Virginia Commonwealth University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores Virginia Commonwealth University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–620, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1140 |
| 75th percentile | 1260 |
| % submitting SAT | 33.7% |
| 25th percentile | 22 |
| 50th percentile | 25 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 3% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 17% |
| Top 25% of class | 40% |
| Top 50% of class | 75% |
| % submitting class rank | 16% |
How much does Virginia Commonwealth University actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,945 for in-state students and $40,109 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,254 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,433 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $13,520 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $35,994 |
| Room and board | $15,128 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $23,433 |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Virginia Commonwealth University
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University?
These predict outcomes at Virginia Commonwealth University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Virginia Commonwealth University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Virginia Commonwealth University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Across all programs, Virginia Commonwealth University confers roughly 2,525 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $54,210 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 540 | $54,210 |
| Biology, General | 391 | $62,092 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 340 | $52,617 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 323 | $49,801 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 255 | $57,508 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 239 | $70,969 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 219 | $51,371 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 218 | $86,488 |
Is Virginia Commonwealth University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Virginia Commonwealth University disclosed 123 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 34 violent offenses and 40 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Virginia Commonwealth University?
About 27% of undergraduates at Virginia Commonwealth University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Virginia parents ask about
- Washington and Lee University14% acceptance
- University of Richmond22% acceptance
- Liberty University99% acceptance
- Longwood University90% acceptance
- Radford University90% acceptance
- University of Virginia-Main Campus17% acceptance
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University55% acceptance
- College of William and Mary34% acceptance
Next steps for Virginia Commonwealth University
Common questions parents ask about Virginia Commonwealth University
What GPA do I need for Virginia Commonwealth University?
60% of enrolled students at Virginia Commonwealth University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Virginia Commonwealth University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–620, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–30.
How much does Virginia Commonwealth University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Virginia Commonwealth University after grants and scholarships is $23,433 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,945 and $40,109 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University realistic for my child?
Virginia Commonwealth University admits 84% of applicants, so 490–620 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $23,433 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University accepts about 84% of applicants out of roughly 24,804 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University test-optional?
Yes. Virginia Commonwealth University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University?
About 63% of students at Virginia Commonwealth University graduate within six years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Virginia Commonwealth University look for in applicants?
Virginia Commonwealth University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia.
What are the most popular majors at Virginia Commonwealth University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Virginia Commonwealth University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. The school awards about 2,525 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Virginia Commonwealth University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Virginia Commonwealth University reported 123 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Virginia Commonwealth University?
At Virginia Commonwealth University, 27% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Virginia Commonwealth University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers