Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
Located in downtown Richmond, Virginia's capital city, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) operates two main campuses that span 173 acres through the city's urban core. The Monroe Park Campus houses most undergraduate programs amid a mix of modern and historic buildings, while the MCV Campus, home to the VCU Medical Center and health sciences programs, sits within Richmond's medical district. Founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College, VCU took its current form in 1968 through the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and Richmond Professional Institute. The university maintains strong academic programs in arts and design, ranked among the top in the nation, along with well-regarded programs in medicine, business, and social work. Freshmen are required to live on campus, with housing available in both traditional residence halls and apartment-style buildings throughout the urban campus setting.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
VCU is rated within the top 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia Commonwealth University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#469 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#142 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Virginia
#524 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#16 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1030/1270 |
| ACT | 22/30 |
| GPA | 3.75 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 18, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Other Fees | $3,608 |
| Room and Board | $16,119 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,150 |
| Total One Year Cost | $39,967 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Other Fees | $3,608 |
| Room and Board | $16,119 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,150 |
| Total One Year Cost | $61,861 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 15% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 13% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering VCU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234030 IPEDS survey data for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Current students may use the Virginia Commonwealth University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025