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College

Virginia State University

#425 in Colleges with the Best Professors in America
  • C+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Petersburg, VA
  • 1,161 reviews
C+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    C+
  2. Value
    B-
  3. Diversity
    B+
  4. Campus
    C+
  5. Athletics
    B
  6. Party Scene
    B+
  7. Professors
    B+
  8. Location
    C-
  9. Dorms
    B-
  10. Campus Food
    C+
  11. Student Life
    B
  12. Safety
    C-
View Full Report Card
Virginia State is a public university located in Ettrick, Virginia in the Richmond Area. As a historically black college, VSU has a strong history of and commitment to the education of black Americans. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 4,023 undergraduate students. The Virginia State acceptance rate is 94%. Popular majors include Communications, Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, and Physical Education Teaching and Coaching. Graduating 44% of students, Virginia State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $25,800.
About Virginia State University...
Athletic Division
NCAA Division II (with football)
Athletic Conference
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Address
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, VA 23806
Website
vsu.edu
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Virginia State University Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate
94%
Application Deadline
May 1
SAT Range
730-900
ACT Range
15-19
Application Fee
$0
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Required
Early Decision/Early Action
No
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Cost

Net Price
$15,266/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $12,998/ year
  • $30-48k
    $13,972/ year
  • $49-75k
    $16,695/ year
  • $76-110k
    $18,268/ year
  • $110k+
    $20,047/ year
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Academics

Professors
B+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
13:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
78%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.72 responses
61%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.79 responses
64%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.80 responses
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Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Communications
    100 Graduates
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
    94 Graduates
  • Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
    79 Graduates
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities
    59 Graduates
  • Psychology
    58 Graduates
  • Business Administration and Management
    53 Graduates
  • Social Work and Youth Services
    52 Graduates
  • Biology
    36 Graduates
  • Hospitality and Tourism Management
    21 Graduates
  • Marketing
    21 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
4,023Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
11%
Pell Grant
67%
Varsity Athletes
7%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 50 responses
Report
  • Everyone's different
    34%
  • Focused
    26%
  • Determine
    20%
  • Party
    8%
  • Degree seeking slackers
    6%
  • Talented
    4%
  • Diverse
    2%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
—
Poll
46%
of students say that Greek life is pretty big.96 responses
Poll
66%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.114 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 53 responses
Report
  • "V-S-U ! I love it! I love it! I love it!"
    42%
  • Historically Black
    23%
  • All the above
    17%
  • HAIL STATE!
    17%
  • Enjoyable
    2%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$33,300/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
44%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
94%
National
83%
89%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.56 responses
Colleges like Virginia State University
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Virginia State University Reviews

1,161 reviews
All Categories
First and foremost, I would like to say that Virginia State University is a very family oriented environment for its students. I consider VSU to be a family. The students and advisors make you feel at home. They welcome you with open arms. To me, they advocate acceptance. I’m grateful to be apart of an HBCU that I’ve been embraced with such profound comfort. Behold the true Orange and Blue!
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I love Virginia State University! Being here at VSU I learned more about myself and how to express myself. The professors here love their students and will go above and beyond for their students but will also push you to your maximum potential they see in you. The professors are always available for students to contact them. Campus food is great! Wednesday's is fried chicken Wednesday's and Fridays is Fish Fry Friday's. Campus has a great tutoring services offered to students. One thing I would like to see Change is all of the dorms updated to modern living for students and get rid of community bathrooms.
Virginia State University is amazing! You feel like you are one big happy family. Everyone takes the time to make you feel welcomed, no matter what the event is. The parties are out of this world, but most importantly the education is great! The professors that the time to help each individual with what he/she needs help with and doesn’t complain or judge them.