Virginia State University
- 3/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Petersburg, VA
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0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
5,605- Location Petersburg, Virginia
- Website vsu.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Large Suburban
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Virginia State University, located in Petersburg, Virginia, approximately 25 miles south of Richmond, spans a 236-acre campus along the Appomattox River. Established in 1882 as Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, VSU holds the distinction of being the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black students in America and operates as a historically Black university. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its six academic colleges, with notable strengths in agriculture, engineering, business, and education. VSU maintains a traditional residential campus environment with multiple student housing options, and competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Trojans within the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Ratings
VSU is rated within the lower 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.
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Overall Rating3 out of 10
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Academics2 out of 10
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Resources8 out of 10
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Outcomes2 out of 10
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Value1 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 840/1070
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 14/20
- GPA 2.85
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due May 1, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 14.3%
- Application Fee $0
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
$10,043Out of State Resident Tuition
$22,650Breakdown
- Tuition $10,043
- Books and Supplies $1,300
- Other Fees $4,342
- Room and Board $13,355
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,640
- Total One Year Cost $32,680
- Tuition $22,650
- Books and Supplies $1,300
- Other Fees $4,342
- Room and Board $13,355
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,640
- Total One Year Cost $45,287
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Virginia State University are Business, Education, and Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting. 17% of students major in Business, 14% in Education, and 10% in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting.
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Business 17%
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Education 14%
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Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 10%
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Psychology 8%
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General Studies 7%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Virginia State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234155.
GPA calculator: Virginia State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026