At a glance
Average net price
$23,433
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
63.2%
Admission rate
93%
Undergrad size
20,753
In-state tuition
$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
$40,109
Cost of attendance
$38,954
Median earnings (10y)
$58,128
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,137
- ACT midpoint
- 25
- Retention
- 85.3%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (27%), social sciences (26%), stem (22%).
- STEM22%
- Health7%
- Business12%
- Humanities & arts27%
- Social sciences26%
- Trades & services5%
- ~2,899 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Business12.3%~2,555 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Psychology10.9%~2,258 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,648 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education7.2%~1,505 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,417 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Computer science6.1%~1,272 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,085 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Social sciences5.1%~1,050 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,038 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering4.5%~928 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication3.7%~776 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~428 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.8%~380 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~361 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~288 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- History1.3%~266 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~235 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.8%~158 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~110 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~75 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~27 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 1,030 | $29,652 | $23,199 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 730 | $24,666 | $21,712 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 682 | $29,863 | $26,901 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 645 | $29,473 | $25,937 |
| Social Work. | Master's | 581 | $45,516 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 491 | $34,326 | $23,250 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor's | 457 | $43,919 | $23,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 428 | $60,267 | $26,250 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 405 | $30,506 | $25,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 395 | $31,961 | $24,000 |
| Medicine. | First professional | 368 | $57,175 | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 367 | $32,107 | $21,376 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 336 | $53,416 | $24,364 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 257 | $40,690 | $21,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master's | 255 | $60,953 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 251 | $94,094 | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 240 | $67,978 | $19,050 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 217 | $24,182 | $22,750 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | 207 | $70,292 | — |
| Dentistry. | First professional | 203 | $87,586 | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | First professional | 201 | $101,582 | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 195 | $31,701 | $21,872 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 194 | $32,157 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 190 | $94,371 | — |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Bachelor's | 187 | $41,654 | $21,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 182 | $62,311 | $22,235 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 178 | $19,660 | $26,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 169 | — | — |
| Education, General. | Master's | 163 | $45,365 | — |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Bachelor's | 157 | $28,313 | $26,975 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 132 | $52,310 | $24,350 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | 130 | $166,030 | — |
| Security Science and Technology. | Bachelor's | 122 | — | $26,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 122 | $28,141 | $23,750 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 119 | $27,404 | $23,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 114 | $21,783 | $23,374 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 104 | $29,284 | $26,285 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 99 | $38,805 | — |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 98 | $67,147 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 98 | $22,092 | $21,875 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large institution located in Richmond, Virginia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 20,753 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Visual & performing arts, Business, Psychology.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Virginia Commonwealth University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $23,433 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $16,945 for in-state students and $40,109 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $38,954 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 63.2%, a above-average completion outcome. 85.3% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $58,128 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Virginia Commonwealth University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Visual & performing arts, Business, Psychology. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (27% of credentials), social sciences (26% of credentials), stem (22% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Virginia Commonwealth University accepts 93% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,137. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 25.
Location & campus
Set in Richmond, Virginia (city), Virginia Commonwealth University draws students from across Virginia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia Commonwealth University
Q.How much does Virginia Commonwealth University cost?
The average net price at Virginia Commonwealth University is $23,433 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $38,954.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University has a 6-year graduation rate of 63.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University admits 93% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Virginia Commonwealth University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Virginia Commonwealth University graduate earns $58,128 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Published tuition is $16,945 in-state and $40,109 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Virginia Commonwealth University located?
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, Virginia (ZIP 23284).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Virginia Commonwealth University at their official website.