Virginia State University campus
Virginia State University logo

Virginia State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 2,360
Student to faculty ratio 13 to 1
Acceptance rate 96%
Students retention rate 76%
On-time graduation rate 48%

Located in Petersburg, Virginia, Virginia State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 96% indicates that Virginia State is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Virginia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, Virginia State emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Virginia State is reported to be 48%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Virginia state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 67% whereas the national average was 49%.

Virginia State boasts an impressive student retention rate of 76% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 81% and 72%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • HBCU
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

96.1%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$9,154

Cost of attendance at Virginia State University in 2022 for students from Virginia.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Virginia's average $14,223
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$20,909

Cost of attendance at Virginia State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Virginia's average $33,092
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 92 of freshman students at Virginia State University received on average $11,499 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$11,499
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 591 67% $5,625 $3,324,189
Other Federal Grant 591 67% $7,872 $4,652,390
State Grant/Scholarships 378 43% $7,085 $2,677,999
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 545 62% $3,639 $1,983,427
Total Grant & Scholarships 810 92% $11,499 $9,313,816

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Virginia State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Virginia State University students is 47.8%. Female students graduated at a rate of 53.0%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 41.4%.

47.8%

  • asian 66.7% 2 students
  • African American 48.8% 347 students
  • white 23.1% 3 students
  • unknown 28.6% 6 students
  • hispanic 38.5% 5 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Baseball Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Basketball Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Virginia State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Virginia State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Credit for military training

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