Overview of Virginia State University

Virginia State University is a public HBCU situated in Ettrick, Virginia, just outside Petersburg. Undergraduates can select from 31 bachelor’s degree programs from a range of liberal arts and professional fields. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The Virginia State University Trojans play in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 4,385 (3,996 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male/57 percent female
• 97 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $9,056 (in-state); $19,576 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,300
• Room and Board: $11,208
• Other Expenses: $1,675
• Total Cost: $23,239 (in-state); $33,759 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 92 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 92 percent
  • Loans: 92 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,190
  • Loans: $10,410

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Elementary Education, Family Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Marketing, Psychology, Nursing, Fine Arts, Public Relations

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 66 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 19 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 39 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading-Dance Team, Cross Country, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Virginia State University Admissions

Virginia State University accepts over 90% of applicants and a less competitive admissions procedure. The institution is test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. However, they have to have a cumulative high school GPA or 3.0 and earn a B or better grade in challenging coursework. It has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Virginia State University had an acceptance rate of 91%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 91 students gained admission, making VSU’s admissions procedure less competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 78% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of VSU’s admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 430 and 510 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 430 and 25% scored over 510. 50% of students scored between 410 and 500 on the math part, while 25% scored under 410, and 25% scored over 500. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1010 or higher will have a competitive advantage at VSU.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 14% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Virginia State’s admitted students fall within the bottom 20% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to VSU received a cumulative ACT score between 15 and 21, while 25% scored over 21, and 25% scored under 15.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Virginia State University’s incoming freshmen class was 2.8. This data suggests that Successful applicants to VSU have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Virginia State University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Virginia State University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Harris-Stowe State University, Pine Manor College, Paul Quinn College, Wiley College, Albany State University, Medgar Evers College (City University of New York), Livingstone College

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Virginia State University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Albertus Magnus College, Bloomfield College, College of St. Joseph, Avila University, Alabama A&M University, Texas Southern University, California State University Dominguez Hills

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Virginia State University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University East Bay, Kean University, California State University Los Angeles

Applying to Virginia State University

Application Deadline: May 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

http://www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman-apply/index.php

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://recruiter.ec.vsu.edu/admissions/pages/welcome.aspx

Graduate Admissions Website:

http://www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/graduate-apply/index.php     

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://recruiter.ec.vsu.edu/admissions/pages/welcome.aspx