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PrivateUrbanHBCU

Virginia Union University

VUU

Richmond, Virginia 23220

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanHBCU

Known for business — close-knit campus

Virginia Union University is a private institution in Richmond with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 860, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.2K undergraduates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

41% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,275 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,580.

Established
1865
Motto
The Lord Will Provide
Type
Private historically black university
Conference
NCAA Division II
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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98%Acceptance
860SAT Avg
1,153Students
22:1Student:Faculty
41%Grad Rate
$38,275Earnings 10yr
$19,580Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate97.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 860

Reading & WritingMid: 421
390510
MathMid: 404
360500

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$14,880
Room & Board$9,552
Books & Supplies$0
Total Cost of Attendance$34,960
Average Net Price$19,580
Median Debt at Graduation$29,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$307

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,272
$30–48K$20,536
$48–75K$22,097
$75–110K$24,665
$110K+$21,677

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

54.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (29)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

62%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,153
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
41%
Pell Grant Recipients
51%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%
Black 89%
Hispanic 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate41.3%
Freshman Retention61.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$27,977
10 Years$38,275

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballBasketball teams

History & Fun Facts

  • The college had the first academic library at a historically black college or university (HBCU), building the library the same year the college was established.
  • The first and only president there was George Mellen Prentiss King, who administered Wayland for thirty years (1867–1897).
  • Beginning in 1867, Colver Institute was housed in a building long known as Lumpkin's Jail, a former "slave jail" owned by Mary Ann Lumpkin, the African-American widow of the deceased white owner.
  • It became Richmond Theological Institute (formerly Colver) and joined with Wayland Seminary of Washington in 1899 to form Virginia Union University at Richmond.

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
128 mi(222 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
140 mi(243 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RIC Richmond8 mi
IAD Washington Dulles96 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington119 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
New York, NY285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Hartford, CT386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
Providence, RI435 mi · ~12h 34m drive
Albany, NY402 mi · ~11h 37m drive
Syracuse, NY385 mi · ~11h 7m drive
Rochester, NY387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY375 mi · ~10h 50m drive
Philadelphia, PA206 mi · ~5h 57m drive
Pittsburgh, PA241 mi · ~6h 58m drive
Harrisburg, PA190 mi · ~5h 29m drive
Newark, NJ281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Washington, DC96 mi · ~2h 46m drive
Baltimore, MD128 mi · ~3h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA470 mi · ~13h 35m drive
Charlotte, NC248 mi · ~7h 10m drive
Raleigh, NC140 mi · ~4h 3m drive
Miami, FL831 mi · ~24h drive
Orlando, FL664 mi · ~19h 11m drive
Tampa, FL725 mi · ~20h 57m drive
Nashville, TN525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
New Orleans, LA894 mi · ~25h 50m drive
Richmond, VA2 mi · ~3 min drive
Chicago, IL617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
Detroit, MI443 mi · ~12h 48m drive
Minneapolis, MN965 mi · ~27h 53m 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, TX1265 mi · ~36h 33m 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)

Deadline Calendar

Virginia Union University Application Checklist

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