Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
PublicBachelor's to graduateFounded 1968Midsize citySEVP certified
About
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute, founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2025, more than 29,280 students were enrolled in more than 200 academic programs, and 23 VCU programs were ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s top 50 best college programs. VCU Medical Center is ranked the number one hospital in Virginia according to U.S. News & World Report. The VCU Health System supports health care education, research, and patient care.
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Cost per year
- Tuition and fees (out of state)
- US$40,654
- Estimated total for international students
- US$66,344
- Tuition and fees (in state, for comparison)
- US$17,490
- Total cost for in-state students
- US$43,180
International students at public universities pay the out-of-state rate. The estimated total adds housing, food and books to that tuition; it is derived from Scorecard figures, so check the university's own cost page.
Students
- Undergraduates
- 20,753
- Graduate students
- 7,254
- International undergraduates
- 2%
- Students per teacher
- 17 to 1
Admissions
- Admission rate
- 93%
- SAT
- Reading and writing 520–650 · Maths 490–620
- ACT
- 22–30
Test scores show the middle 50% of admitted students.
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 65%
- Median earnings 10 years after starting
- US$64,442
Earnings are for students who received US federal aid, so they may not reflect international graduates.
Programmes (218)
Bachelor's degrees55 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsAnthropologyArea StudiesBiological and Physical SciencesBiology, GeneralBiomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational BiologyBiomedical/Medical EngineeringBusiness/Commerce, GeneralBusiness/Managerial EconomicsChemical EngineeringChemistryClinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsCommunication and Media StudiesComputer EngineeringComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralCrafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and ArtisanryCriminal Justice and CorrectionsDanceDental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsDesign and Applied ArtsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftElectrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesFilm/Video and Photographic ArtsFinance and Financial Management ServicesFine and Studio ArtsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesHistoryHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, OtherHuman Resources Management and ServicesInformation Science/StudiesLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesMarketingMathematicsMechanical EngineeringMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchParks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesPhilosophyPhysicsPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralReal EstateRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingReligion/Religious StudiesSecurity Science and TechnologySocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasUrban Studies/Affairs
Master's degrees63 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAdvanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral SciencesAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiology, GeneralBiomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational BiologyBiomedical/Medical EngineeringBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness/Commerce, GeneralBusiness/Managerial EconomicsCell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesChemistryClinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsCommunication and Media StudiesComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsCurriculum and InstructionData AnalyticsDesign and Applied ArtsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEconomicsEducation, GeneralEducational Administration and SupervisionEngineering, GeneralEngineering, OtherEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralFine and Studio ArtsGeneticsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesHistoryHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, OtherHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesInformation Science/StudiesManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMathematicsMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMicrobiological Sciences and ImmunologyMulti-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchParks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesPharmacology and ToxicologyPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationPhysicsPhysiology, Pathology and Related SciencesPsychology, GeneralPublic AdministrationPublic HealthRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesSecurity Science and TechnologySocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesTaxationTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasUrban Studies/Affairs
Doctoral degrees37 subjects
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral SciencesBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiology, GeneralBiomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational BiologyBiomedical/Medical EngineeringBusiness/Commerce, GeneralCell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesChemical EngineeringChemistryClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyEducation, GeneralEducational Administration and SupervisionEngineering, GeneralEngineering, OtherFine and Studio ArtsGeneticsHealth Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, OtherHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesMathematics and Statistics, OtherMicrobiological Sciences and ImmunologyMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNanotechnologyNatural SciencesNeurobiology and NeurosciencesPharmacology and ToxicologyPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationPhysicsPhysiology, Pathology and Related SciencesPsychology, GeneralPublic AdministrationPublic HealthRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsSocial WorkSpecial Education and Teaching
Professional degrees (MD, JD and similar)3 subjects
DentistryMedicinePharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Undergraduate certificates8 subjects
Business/Commerce, GeneralComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesInternational BusinessLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesMulti-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralOutdoor EducationSustainability Studies
Post-baccalaureate certificates6 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralGraphic CommunicationsInformation Science/StudiesNatural SciencesStatistics
Graduate certificates46 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesBiology, GeneralBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness/Commerce, GeneralCommunication and Media StudiesComputer Software and Media ApplicationsComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsData ScienceEducation, GeneralEducational Administration and SupervisionEducational/Instructional Media DesignEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesGeneticsGeography and CartographyGerontologyGraphic CommunicationsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesHistoric Preservation and ConservationHistoryHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, OtherHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesHuman Resources Management and ServicesInformation Science/StudiesInternational BusinessManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsNatural SciencesPhysicsPublic AdministrationPublic HealthReal EstateRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsSocial Sciences, OtherSociologySpecial Education and TeachingStatisticsStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesSustainability StudiesTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign LanguageTransportation and Materials Moving, OtherUrban Studies/Affairs
Subjects and degree levels reported to the US Department of Education. See the university's course catalogue for course-by-course details.