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Virginia State University
Admission at Virginia State University is close to open (88.6%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $45,543 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Virginia State University occupies suburban Petersburg, VA — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission. It carries a land-grant charter — the 1862 mandate that ties it to agricultural and practical education.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, where graduates median $89,702 four years out. 72.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,074 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 69.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 800 and 1050 — below the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Virginia State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Virginia State University received 10,577 applications and admitted 9,424 (89.1%), with 1,448 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 800–1050 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Virginia State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 420 | 480 | 540 |
| SAT Math | 380 | 430 | 510 |
| ACT Composite | 14 | 18 | 20 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Virginia State University compares
| Virginia State University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 88.6% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,043 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $45,543 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
At $45,543, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($53,453). Look at Virginia State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,043 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $22,650. For non-residents, Virginia State University's $22,650 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,074 undergrads, Virginia State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of Virginia State University students — 39.4% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Virginia State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $89,702 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $80,902 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $72,734 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,375 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $60,276 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $56,476 |
| Marketing | $53,709 |
| Biology, General | $53,398 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,015 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,764 |
| Social Work | $49,615 |
| Agriculture, General | $48,778 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,624 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,362 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $46,514 |
| Political Science and Government | $44,002 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,896 |
| Sociology | $40,432 |
| Psychology, General | $37,861 |
Median earnings for these 19 Virginia State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $45,543 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 16 additional Virginia State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Virginia State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 800–1050 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 88.6% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Virginia State University's acceptance rate?
89.1% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 9,424 admitted from 10,577 applicants.
How much does Virginia State University cost?
In-state tuition is $10,043; out-of-state students pay $22,650. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Virginia State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $45,543 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Virginia
- Virginia Union University — 98% admitted
- Virginia Commonwealth University — 92.6% 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.