School Overview
Virginia State University (VSU) is a historically black university located in Chesterfield County right outside of Petersburg, Virginia. The university was founded over a hundred years ago in 1882 as the first 4-year higher education institution in the United States dedicated for educating black Americans.
While VSU offers a large selection of exceptional undergraduate and graduate degree programs, it is particulary well known for its programs in agricultural studies, which includes various degree, research and internship opportunities. In addition to its agricultural sciences program, VSU offers degrees in Engineering, Business, Liberal Arts, Education and Social Sciences. Currently, programs at VSU leading to a degree must be completed at a campus location in a traditional classroom setting. The school does not offer online degree programs at this time.
As a historically black university, VSU offers several scholarship opportunities to African-American students, including the Thurgood Marshal Scholarship. In addition to university sponsored scholarships, students can apply for financial aid in the form of low-interest loans and grants.
While academics and education is the main role of VSU, there are several religious, cultural and service organizations designed to enhanced student live at VSU. Career counseling, tutoring as well as a variety of other services are provided at no cost to all students at Virginia State.
As with most accredited colleges, admissions officers at VSU admit new students based on their grade point average (GPA), SAT/ACT scores, a personal essay, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation.
Academics
Virginia State University is made up of six academic colleges, which together have fifty-three departments. The following is comprehensive list of the academic colleges at Virginia State along with each college’s departments.
- School of Agriculture
- Agriculture and Human Ecology
- Agriculture Research Station
- Cooperative Extension
- Dietetic Internship, ADA Accredited
- Hospitality Management
- School of Engineering, Science, and Technology
- Biology
- Chemistry and Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Programing
- Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Education and Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Industrial Education and Technology
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Psychology
- School of Liberal Arts and Education
- Health, Physical Education and Recreation
- History and Philosophy
- Languages and Literature (English and Mass Communication)
- Military Science
- Music, Art and Design
- Political Science, Public Administration and Economics
- Professional Education Programs (graduate and undergraduate)
- Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice
- School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach. This department offers several master’s degree programs for students which include the following:
- Biology
- Career and Technical Studies
- Counselor Education
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- English
- History
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Mathematics
- Mass Communications
- Psychology
- Sport Management
- Bachelor of Individualized Studies
- The Reginald F. Lewis School of Business
- Accounting and Finance
- Management and Marketing
- Management Information Systems
In addition to the departments and programs listed above VSU also has the Office for International Education and the Institute for Study of Race Relations.
Online Degree Programs
Currently Virginia State University does not offer accredited online degree programs. To search colleges that provide accredited online and distance learning programs in Virginia you can perform a search using the “College Degree Finder” tool in the upper right hand corner of this page.
General Information
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Admission Office One Hayden Drive PO Box 9018 Petersburg, VA 23806 (804) 524-5902 (800) 871-7611 Fax: (804) 524-5055 [email protected] Contact: Irene Logan Director of Admissions |
Main Address One Hayden Drive Petersburg, VA 23806 (804) 524-5000 www.vsu.edu |
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Size Total undergrads: 4,489 First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 1,324 Degree-seeking undergrads: 4,420 Graduate enrollment: 553 Setting |
Degrees offered: |
Admissions Information
|
Application Fee College has an application fee: Yes Regular application fee: $25 Online application fee: $25 |
Enrollment Rates Percent applicants admitted: 65% Percent of students who return for sophomore year: 68% |
College Majors
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Agriculture & Related Sciences Agriculture – General B Arts, Visual & Performing Arts – General B Biological & Biomedical Sciences Biology B Business, Management, & Marketing Accounting B Communications & Journalism Mass Communications/Media Studies B Computer & Information Sciences Computer Science B Education Business Teacher Education B Engineering Computer Engineering – General B Engineering Technologies Electrical Engineering Technologies B English Language & Literature English Language & Literature – General B Family & Consumer Sciences Human Sciences Communication B Health Professions & Clinical Sciences Nursing (RN) A History History – General B Liberal Arts & Sciences Liberal Arts & Sciences B Mathematics Mathematics – General B Physical Sciences Chemistry B Psychology Psychology – General B Public Administration & Services Public Administration B Security & Protective Services Criminal Justice Studies B Social Sciences Political Science/Government B |
Degree levels for each major are designated by the following letters:
B = Bachelor’s degree C = Certificate or diploma |
*We do not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
Virginia State University Highlights
School Information
| Phone Number: | (804) 524-5000 |
| Website: | www.vsu.edu |
| Type of School: | 4-year, Public |
| Apply Online: | www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman-apply/index.php |
| Address: | 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806 |
| Setting: | Suburb: Large |
| Campus Housing: | Yes |
Students & Programs
| Student Population: | 4,365 |
| 6-yr Graduation Rate (Bachelor's): | 42% |
| Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 13 to 1 |
| Distance Learning Programs: | |
| Distance Learning Students*: | 4,365 (100% of total students) |
| Degree Levels Offered: | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate |
* Students taking at least 1 distance learning course
Tuition & Financial Aid*
| In-state Tuition: | $9,154 |
| Out-of-state Tuition: | $20,909 |
| % of Students Receiving Financial Aid: | 92% |
| Avg. Amount of Grant or Scholarship Aid Awarded: | $6,552 |
* Full-time beginning undergraduate students. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Virginia State University Programs
See the degree programs that are offered at Virginia State University.
| Degree Name | Cert | Assoc | Bach | Mast | Doct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences | 1 | ||||
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 1 | 1 | |||
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 6 | 1 | |||
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 1 | 1 | |||
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Education | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| Engineering | 2 | ||||
| Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related Fields | 1 | 3 | |||
| English Language and Literature/Letters | 1 | ||||
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 1 | 1 | |||
| Health Professions and Related Programs | 1 | ||||
| History | 1 | ||||
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Service | 1 | 1 | |||
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1 | ||||
| Mathematics and Statistics | 1 | 1 | |||
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 1 | 1 | |||
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 1 | ||||
| Physical Sciences | 1 | 1 | |||
| Psychology | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 1 | 1 | |||
| Social Sciences | 2 | ||||
| Visual and Performing Arts | 2 | ||||
| Grand total | 6 | 30 | 14 | 2 |
* Based on programs that produced 2019-2020 graduates
Tuition & Financial Aid
See what it costs to enroll at Virginia State University and how many students are receiving scholarships, grants, or loans as financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition.
Undergraduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
| Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|
| In-state | $9,154 |
| Out-of-state | $20,909 |
| Books and supplies | $1,300 |
Graduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
| Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|
| In-state | $11,989 |
| Out-of-state | $22,994 |
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2018-2019
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any student financial aid | 853 | 92% | – |
| Grant or scholarship aid | 853 | 92% | $6,552 |
| Student loan aid | 853 | 92% | $7,663 |
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant or scholarship aid | 3,651 | 91% | $9,263 |
| Federal student loans | 3,123 | 78% | $8,340 |
Admissions & Enrollment
See the admission requirements for Virginia State University. Find out how many students apply and how many are accepted. View a graphical breakdown of the gender, age, and ethnicity of currently enrolled Virginia State University students.
Undergraduate Admissions, Fall 2020
| Total | Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of applicants | 7,715 | 2,515 | 5,200 | Percent admitted | 100% | 92% | 97% |
| Percent admitted who enrolled | 14% | 17% | 12% |
Admissions Considerations
| Required | Recommended | Optional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary school GPA | |||
| Secondary school rank | |||
| Secondary school record | |||
| Completion of college-preparatory program | |||
| Recommendations | |||
| Formal demonstration of competencies | |||
| Admission test scores | |||
| Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) | |||
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Virginia State University Enrollment, Fall 2020
| Total Enrollment | 4,365 |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,025 |
| Graduate enrollment | 340 |
Undergraduate Attendance
Undergraduate Gender
Undergraduate Age
Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity
Undergraduate Distance Education
Undergraduates taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Graduate Distance Education
Graduate students taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Virginia State University Accreditation
This institution is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Specialized institution accreditations:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietetics (DIETI) - Dietetic Internship
- Didactic Program in Dietetics
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- Art and Design (ART) - Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation
- Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools
*General information for this school has been gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database, a service provided by the U.S. Department of Education. CollegeAtlas.org does not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
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