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Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University admits nearly everyone — 92.6% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Virginia Commonwealth University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Virginia Commonwealth University sits in Richmond proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. The university runs its own medical system, which colors both its budget and its biggest programs.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $118,521 four years out. Faculty pay averages $148,812 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 20,753 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 85.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1030 and 1270 — near the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Virginia Commonwealth University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Virginia Commonwealth University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1030–1270 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Virginia Commonwealth University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 530 | 600 | 650 |
| SAT Math | 500 | 560 | 620 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 26 | 30 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Virginia Commonwealth University received 19,052 applications and admitted 17,729 (93.1%), with 4,519 enrolling.
How Virginia Commonwealth University compares
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 92.6% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $16,945 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $58,128 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Virginia Commonwealth University student earns $58,128 — 9% above the Virginia median of $53,453 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Virginia Commonwealth University prices by residency: $16,945 in-state versus $40,109 out-of-state — a $23,164 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
20,753 undergraduates make Virginia Commonwealth University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
63.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 37% don't — ask a Virginia Commonwealth University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Virginia Commonwealth University
| Bachelor's program | 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 |
Median earnings for these 46 Virginia Commonwealth University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $58,128 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 12 additional Virginia Commonwealth University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Virginia Commonwealth University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1030–1270 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 92.6% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Virginia Commonwealth University's acceptance rate?
93.1% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 17,729 admitted from 19,052 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 do Virginia Commonwealth University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $58,128 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
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: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.