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Virginia Commonwealth University

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-04-16T14:00:00
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU

Richmond, Virginia 23284-2512

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Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanGreek life

Known for business — major research university

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution in Richmond with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1168, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 20.8K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

65% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,128 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,452.

Established

1838

Motto

Effice ut sit Realis

Mascot

Rodney the Ram

Type

Public research university

Division

Division I

Campus Visits

116 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, Apr 10 · Campus Tour

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93%Acceptance

1168SAT Avg

20,797Students

17:1Student:Faculty

65%Grad Rate

$58,128Earnings 10yr

$19,452Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Virginia Commonwealth University Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate93.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1168

Reading & WritingMid: 605

530650

MathMid: 580

500620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25

2230

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

93.1%

Trend

SAT Avg

1168

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$16,458

Tuition (out-of-state)$39,042

Room & Board$16,119

Books & Supplies$1,240

Total Cost of Attendance$34,346

Average Net Price$19,452

Median Debt at Graduation$21,500

Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,830

$30–48K$13,612

$48–75K$16,455

$75–110K$20,633

$110K+$28,474

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$19,452

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

5800.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,021

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

159

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

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Programs (213)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

20,797

Gender Split

64% / 36%

Women / Men

First Generation

28%

Pell Grant Recipients

30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 41%

Black 22%

Hispanic 12%

Asian 14%

Two+ 8%

Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate65.4%

Freshman Retention85.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,161

8 Years$54,212

10 Years$58,128

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$46,700

Men

$54,300

Rankings

U.S. News

#136

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Forbes

#447

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Wall Street Journal

#29

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Washington Monthly

#107

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More About This School

Varsity Sports

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Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•In 1844, it moved into its first permanent home, the Egyptian Building.
•In 1854, the Medical Department of Hampden–Sydney College received an independent charter from the Virginia General Assembly and became the Medical College of Virginia (MCV).
•A few years later in 1860, MCV conveyed all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia and becomes a state institution in exchange for $30,000.
•Grant captured Petersburg and Richmond in early April 1865.
•In 1912, McGuire Hall opened as the new home of the University College of Medicine.

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Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

111High

Estimated from VA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K

96 mi(166 min)

Baltimorepop. 570K

129 mi(224 min)

Raleighpop. 470K

139 mi(241 min)

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Getting There

Nearest Airports

RIC Richmond8 mi

IAD Washington Dulles97 mi

BWI Baltimore-Washington120 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA474 mi · ~13h 42m drive

New York, NY286 mi · ~8h 16m drive

Hartford, CT387 mi · ~11h 11m drive

Providence, RI436 mi · ~12h 36m drive

Albany, NY403 mi · ~11h 39m drive

Syracuse, NY386 mi · ~11h 9m drive

Rochester, NY387 mi · ~11h 11m drive

Buffalo, NY376 mi · ~10h 52m drive

Philadelphia, PA207 mi · ~5h 59m drive

Pittsburgh, PA242 mi · ~6h 59m drive

Harrisburg, PA191 mi · ~5h 31m drive

Newark, NJ282 mi · ~8h 9m drive

Washington, DC96 mi · ~2h 46m drive

Baltimore, MD129 mi · ~3h 44m drive

Atlanta, GA469 mi · ~13h 33m drive

Charlotte, NC248 mi · ~7h 10m drive

Raleigh, NC139 mi · ~4h 1m drive

Miami, FL830 mi · ~23h 59m drive

Orlando, FL663 mi · ~19h 9m drive

Tampa, FL724 mi · ~20h 55m drive

Nashville, TN524 mi · ~15h 8m drive

New Orleans, LA894 mi · ~25h 50m drive

Richmond, VA1 mi · ~2 min drive

Chicago, IL617 mi · ~17h 49m drive

Detroit, MI444 mi · ~12h 50m drive

Minneapolis, MN966 mi · ~27h 54m drive

St. Louis, MO697 mi · ~20h 8m drive

Kansas City, MO933 mi · ~26h 57m drive

Indianapolis, IN494 mi · ~14h 16m drive

Columbus, OH342 mi · ~9h 53m drive

Cleveland, OH354 mi · ~10h 14m drive

Milwaukee, WI668 mi · ~19h 18m drive

Dallas, TX1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive

Houston, TX1160 mi · ~33h 31m drive

Austin, TX1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive

San Antonio, TX1332 mi · ~38h 29m drive

Los Angeles, CA2281 mi · ~65h 54m drive

San Francisco, CA2435 mi · ~70h 21m drive

San Diego, CA2252 mi · ~65h 3m drive

Seattle, WA2350 mi · ~67h 53m drive

Portland, OR2370 mi · ~68h 28m drive

Denver, CO1488 mi · ~42h 59m drive

Phoenix, AZ1957 mi · ~56h 32m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1846 mi · ~53h 20m drive

Honolulu, HI4826 mi · ~139h 25m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Budget

Airport Transit

Richmond (RIC)8 miles

Rental car

12 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

16 min$10-16

Washington Dulles (IAD)97 miles

Rental car

146 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

194 min$116-194

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Schools Like This

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Deadline Calendar

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Virginia Commonwealth University Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

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Virginia Commonwealth University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award