VSU is a public historically black institution located in Petersburg, Virginia. Most historically black colleges and universities (also known as HBCUs) were established after the civil war to provide newly freed African Americans with educational opportunities. As a land grant institution this school is one of the larger public institutions in the state of Virginia. Nearly five thousand students enroll at VSU per year.
A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:
- Education
- Security And Protective Services
- Psychology
- Interdisciplinary Studies
The admissions process will include the submission of an application, student records, and standardized test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions office. The most common test scores among students accepted to Virginia State University are in the range of 16 - 19 for the ACT exam, or 1160 - 1390 on the SAT. Roughly 60% of all applicant were admitted at VSU, with 29% of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information regarding admissions can be found at vsu.edu.
The cost of tuition varies for in-state and nonresidents. In-state residents pay close to $7,800, while nonresidents pay $18,000 annually. On-campus housing is available for students and costs around $5,500 annually. Financial aid may be offered to students that meet the required requirements in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs.
The mascot for Virginia State University is the "Trojans", and they participate in intercollegiate athletic programs through the NCAA. Available sports offered:
- Baseball (NCAA Division II)
- Basketball (NCAA Division II)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division II)
Students can visit the school's http://www.vsu.edu to see additional information.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give you an idea of the students VSU accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
The total student enrollment at Virginia State University is about 4,700, with undergraduate students making up about 90% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $14,400. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $25 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- In-State: $5,000-$6,000
- Out-of-State: $15,000-$17,470
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $360-$430 per unit
- Out-of-State: $790-$950 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table listed below helps break down the types of financial aid students receive and the percent receiving aid, as well as the average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 92% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 92% | $6,276 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 92% | $8,015 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Virginia State University may provide services like those listed below:- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Assistance to find work
Graduation Rates
Virginia State University has an overall graduation rate which is around 40%.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 22% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 15% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 4% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Art and Design Program
- Dietetics Program
- Music Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
VSU is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division II (with football) classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc)
- Basketball (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc)
- Track and Field (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc)
- Football (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc)
- Golf
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Bowling
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Virginia State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Agriculture (B)
- Plant Sciences (M)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B)
- Information Systems (B)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (B)
- Accounting (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Business Economics (B, M)
Communications and Journalism
- Media Studies (B)
- Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication (M)
Computer and Information Sciences
Education
- Physical Education (B)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Trade and Industrial Teacher Education (C, M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (D, M)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M)
- Business Teacher Education
Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineer (B)
- Computer Engineering (B)
Engineering Technology
- Industrial Technology (B)
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies (B)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family and Consumer Economics (B)
Health and Clinical Professions
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, M)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B, M)
- Health Psychology (D)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B)
Social Sciences
- Sociology (B)
- Political Science (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Visual and Performing Arts (B)
- Music Performance (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Virginia State University.
- College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA (39 miles away)
- Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA (52 miles away)
- Longwood University in Farmville, VA (54 miles away)
- Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA (69 miles away)
- University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA (74 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Compare schools and see a list of all colleges in Virginia
- Browse our list of public colleges in Virginia