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Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public campus in Richmond proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The institution reports a hospital in its federal directory record.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$12,830

family income
under $30k

$13,612

$30–48k

$16,455

$48–75k

$20,633

$75–110k

$28,474

over $110k

Average net price

$23,4332023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Virginia Commonwealth University rose from $17,411 (2008) to $23,433 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$17,411
2009	$18,058
2010	$17,181
2011	$18,006
2012	$18,354
2013	$20,723
2014	$21,741
2015	$21,405
2016	$21,655
2017	$21,313
2018	$22,021
2019	$20,490
2020	$18,904
2021	$20,405
2022	$19,452
2023	$23,433

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$38,9542024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Virginia Commonwealth University rose from $21,276 (2009) to $38,954 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$21,276
2010	$23,338
2011	$23,018
2012	$23,774
2013	$25,291
2014	$27,494
2015	$28,631
2016	$29,278
2017	$29,339
2018	$30,452
2019	$31,235
2020	$31,983
2021	$31,917
2022	$33,388
2023	$34,346
2024	$38,954

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,730	$13,410
2001	$3,740	$13,790
2002	$3,930	$14,260
2003	$4,700	$16,220
2004	$5,260	$17,470
2005	$5,584	$17,550
2006	$5,886	$17,962
2007	$6,196	$18,740
2008	$6,779	$19,724
2013	$12,002	$29,473
2014	$12,398	$30,459
2015	$12,772	$31,464
2016	$13,130	$32,287
2017	$13,624	$33,656
2018	$14,493	$35,834
2019	$14,596	$35,904
2020	$14,710	$36,048
2021	$15,319	$36,657
2022	$15,828	$37,786
2023	$16,458	$39,042

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Virginia Commonwealth University reports published tuition by residency: $16,945 in-state versus $40,109 out-of-state — a $23,164 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Virginia Commonwealth University reports 20,753 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

63.2% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Virginia Commonwealth University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

63.2%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University rose from 44.9% (entered 1991) to 63.2% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	44.9%
1992 cohort	43.1%
1993 cohort	42.4%
1994 cohort	39.3%
1995 cohort	41.8%
1996 cohort	39.7%
1997 cohort	42.4%
1998 cohort	40.8%
1999 cohort	43.3%
2000 cohort	45.2%
2001 cohort	47.1%
2002 cohort	49%
2003 cohort	50.1%
2004 cohort	50.4%
2005 cohort	53.1%
2006 cohort	56.1%
2007 cohort	56.8%
2008 cohort	59.2%
2009 cohort	62.1%
2010 cohort	61.9%
2011 cohort	62.5%
2012 cohort	67.1%
2013 cohort	67.2%
2014 cohort	66.1%
2015 cohort	67.5%
2016 cohort	64.5%
2017 cohort	65.4%
2018 cohort	63.2%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$16,500	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	—	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	—	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	—	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	—	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,555	$5,093
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$15,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$15,625	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$15,881	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$15,516	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$15,750	$3,751
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,500	$4,880
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$19,750	$6,002
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$21,500	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$22,500	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$23,250	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$23,306	$8,219
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$23,250	$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$23,250	$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$23,250	$9,476
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$22,500	$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$21,500	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$21,500	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$47,161

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$54,212

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$58,128

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Virginia Commonwealth University admitted 19,408 of 20,954 applicants in Fall 2024. The 92.6% rate describes that application pool.

92.6%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $16,458 in-state tuition · 2023–24 20,753 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1010–12701600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Virginia Commonwealth University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Virginia Commonwealth University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 520–650 and Math was 490–620 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1010–1270 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	520	580	650
SAT Math	490	550	620
ACT Composite	22	25	30

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Virginia Commonwealth University received 20,954 applications and admitted 19,408 (92.6%), with 4,190 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

92.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	75.9%
Fall 2002	74%
Fall 2003	72.8%
Fall 2004	74.1%
Fall 2005	74.4%
Fall 2006	65.8%
Fall 2007	61.5%
Fall 2008	58.3%
Fall 2009	70.3%
Fall 2010	71%
Fall 2011	70.9%
Fall 2012	64.5%
Fall 2013	69.1%
Fall 2014	75.3%
Fall 2015	79%
Fall 2016	81.2%
Fall 2017	83.9%
Fall 2018	86.3%
Fall 2019	87.1%
Fall 2020	90.6%
Fall 2021	92.8%
Fall 2022	91%
Fall 2023	93.1%
Fall 2024	92.6%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1010–1270Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	920	1150
Fall 2002	920	1150
Fall 2003	930	1170
Fall 2004	950	1170
Fall 2005	950	1170
Fall 2006	960	1160
Fall 2007	960	1160
Fall 2008	970	1190
Fall 2009	980	1190
Fall 2010	980	1210
Fall 2011	970	1190
Fall 2012	1000	1210
Fall 2013	1000	1210
Fall 2014	1000	1210
Fall 2015	990	1200
Fall 2016	980	1200
Fall 2017	1070	1260
Fall 2018	1070	1260
Fall 2019	1070	1260
Fall 2020	1060	1250
Fall 2021	1070	1300
Fall 2022	1030	1290
Fall 2023	1030	1270
Fall 2024	1010	1270

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

22–30Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	18	23
Fall 2002	18	23
Fall 2003	18	23
Fall 2004	19	23
Fall 2005	19	23
Fall 2006	19	23
Fall 2007	19	24
Fall 2008	19	25
Fall 2009	20	25
Fall 2010	20	26
Fall 2011	20	26
Fall 2012	21	26
Fall 2013	21	26
Fall 2014	21	27
Fall 2015	21	27
Fall 2016	21	27
Fall 2017	21	27
Fall 2018	21	28
Fall 2019	21	28
Fall 2020	21	28
Fall 2021	20	29
Fall 2022	22	30
Fall 2023	22	30
Fall 2024	22	30

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

20,753Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Virginia Commonwealth University rose from 15,907 (Fall 2002) to 20,753 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	15,907
Fall 2003	16,547
Fall 2004	17,652
Fall 2005	18,683
Fall 2006	19,521
Fall 2007	20,241
Fall 2008	21,034
Fall 2009	21,536
Fall 2010	21,880
Fall 2011	22,208
Fall 2012	22,203
Fall 2013	22,049
Fall 2014	22,280
Fall 2015	22,389
Fall 2016	22,614
Fall 2017	22,393
Fall 2018	22,497
Fall 2019	22,065
Fall 2020	21,334
Fall 2021	20,918
Fall 2022	20,552
Fall 2023	20,797
Fall 2024	20,753

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

85%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Virginia Commonwealth University has held near 85% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	79%
Fall 2004 cohort	80%
Fall 2005 cohort	81%
Fall 2006 cohort	82%
Fall 2007 cohort	85%
Fall 2008 cohort	83%
Fall 2009 cohort	85%
Fall 2010 cohort	86%
Fall 2011 cohort	85%
Fall 2012 cohort	87%
Fall 2013 cohort	86%
Fall 2014 cohort	86%
Fall 2015 cohort	86%
Fall 2016 cohort	83%
Fall 2017 cohort	85%
Fall 2018 cohort	83%
Fall 2019 cohort	83%
Fall 2020 cohort	84%
Fall 2021 cohort	85%
Fall 2022 cohort	86%
Fall 2023 cohort	85%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about Virginia Commonwealth University

Faculty pay at Virginia Commonwealth University averages $148,812 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Virginia Commonwealth University as a primarily residential campus of 20,753 undergraduates — and 85.3% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Virginia Commonwealth University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1010–1270 — their midpoint is near the VA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Virginia Commonwealth University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Virginia Commonwealth University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Virginia Commonwealth University92.6%

Virginia median79.8%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Virginia Commonwealth University$16,945

Virginia median$21,650

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Virginia Commonwealth University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Virginia Commonwealth University$58,128

Virginia median$53,453

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia and national reference values
Metric & basis	Virginia Commonwealth University	Virginia median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	92.6%	79.8%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$16,945	$21,650	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$58,128	$53,453	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Virginia Commonwealth University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Virginia Commonwealth University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 46 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$118,521
Computer Engineering	$118,273
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$107,487
Chemical Engineering	$97,781
Mechanical Engineering	$88,410
Information Science/Studies	$87,219
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$86,661
Biomedical/Medical Engineering	$86,295
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions	$80,344
Accounting and Related Services	$78,631
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions	$78,231
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	$77,786
Physics	$77,737
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other	$72,239
Marketing	$68,622
Mathematics	$68,457
Business/Commerce, General	$68,387
Chemistry	$67,439
Philosophy	$64,402
Business/Managerial Economics	$64,164
Political Science and Government	$62,182
Biological and Physical Sciences	$61,395
Security Science and Technology	$61,026
Real Estate	$60,718
Communication and Media Studies	$59,968
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$59,442
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$58,792
Biology, General	$58,420
Urban Studies/Affairs	$58,084
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$55,855
Social Work	$55,288
Design and Applied Arts	$53,575
History	$53,186
Sociology	$53,122
Psychology, General	$51,440
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$50,217
Anthropology	$49,641
Area Studies	$45,852
English Language and Literature, General	$45,844
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services	$45,607
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	$43,957
Fine and Studio Arts	$43,690
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies	$42,233
Music	$38,278
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$37,958
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry	$37,253

These 46 fields listed for Virginia Commonwealth University measure earnings after completion. The $58,128 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 12 additional Virginia Commonwealth University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Virginia Commonwealth University report?

Virginia Commonwealth University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1010–1270 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Virginia Commonwealth University's acceptance rate?

92.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 19,408 admitted from 20,954 applicants.

How much does Virginia Commonwealth University cost?

In-state tuition is $16,945; out-of-state students pay $40,109. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Virginia Commonwealth University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $58,128. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Virginia

Virginia State University — 88.6% admitted
Virginia Union University — 98% admitted
Southern Virginia University — 96.4% admitted
Richard Bland College — 89.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.