Overview of Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research institution with two campuses in Richmond, VA. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. At the graduate level, VCU’s health programs have an excellent national reputation. In athletics, the VCU Rams play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 31,076 (24,058 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
- 85 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $14,596 (in-state); $35,244 (out-of-state)
- Books: $2,860
- Room and Board: $10,995
- Other Expenses: $3,760
- Total Cost: $32,211 (in-state); $52,859 (out-of-state)
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 81 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 72 percent
- Loans: 57 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $9,790
- Loans: $6,801
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Psychology; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 85 percent
- Transfer-Out Rate: 19 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 44 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 67 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
- Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
Overview of Virginia Commonwealth University Admissions
Virginia Commonwealth University, which accepts over eighty percent of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Virginia Commonwealth University had an acceptance rate of 86%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 86 students gained admission, making VCU’s admissions procedure less competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
One exception to the score requirement is freshmen applicants with a minimum high school GPA of 3.3. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 88% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of VCU’s admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 550 and 640 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 550 and 25% scored over 640. 50% of admitted students scored between 520 and 620 on the math part, while 25% scored under 520, and 25% scored over 620. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1260 or higher will have a competitive advantage at Virginia Commonwealth University.
ACT Requirements and Scores
One exception to the score requirement is freshmen applicants with a minimum high school GPA of 3.3. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 18% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of VCU’s admitted students fall within the top 42% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to VCU received a cumulative ACT score between 21 and 28, while 25% scored over 28, and 25% scored under 21.
GPA
In 2019, the middle 50% of Virginia Commonwealth University’s incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.34 and 3.98. 25% had a GPA of over 3.98 and, and 25% had a GPA under 3.34. Successful applicants to Virginia Commonwealth University have A and B grades primarily.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Virginia Commonwealth University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Virginia Commonwealth University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural, and Mechanical University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for Virginia Commonwealth University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Pace University, University of North Texas, San Jose State University, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Washington State University
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Virginia Commonwealth University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University
Applying to Virginia Commonwealth University
Application Deadline: January 16
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman/
Undergraduate Application Link(s):
https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman/
Graduate Admissions Website:
https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/
Graduate Application Link(s):
