Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Petersburg, Virginia |
| Online | vsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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.
Explore all HBCUs
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
VSU is rated within the lower 31% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#930 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#379 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#28 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#14 in Best Public Colleges in Virginia
#70 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 800/1050 |
| ACT | 14/20 |
| GPA | 2.85 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $4,215 |
| Room and Board | $12,966 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,640 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,661 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $4,215 |
| Room and Board | $12,966 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,640 |
| Total One Year Cost | $39,159 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Education | 14% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 10% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| General Studies | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering VSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234155 IPEDS survey data for Virginia State University.
Current students may use the Virginia State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025