Overview
Petersburg, VA Virginia State University is a public 4-year college located in Petersburg, Virginia. There are currently 4,295 undergraduates at Virginia State and the school’s acceptance rate is 90%. The tuition at Virginia State is $9,654 for in-state students and $21,409 for out-of-state.
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$24,173
$21,764
$14,164
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$24,173for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$35,928for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Virginia State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Virginia State is $24,173 for in-state students in VA, and $35,928 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Virginia State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Virginia State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Virginia State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Virginia State University is 003764.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at Virginia State University
67% of students at Virginia State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Virginia State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Virginia State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
90%
18
900 is the median SAT score and 18 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Virginia State. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is Virginia State test-optional?
Virginia State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Virginia State University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Virginia State University receive between a 14 and a 17 on their ACT, or a 800 and a 990 on their SAT.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
12:1
Graduation Rate
38%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
11%
11% of graduates
Psychology
11%
11% of graduates
Education
8%
8% of graduates
Social Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Engineering
6%
6% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
4%
4% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Engineering
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
4,295
Pell Grant 68%
Undergrad Students Over 25 9%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 5%
Percent Male / Female 40% / 60%
Ethnic Diversity at Virginia State
91% Black
4% Unknown
2% White
1% Hispanic
0% Asian / Pacific Islander
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$45,543
Median Debt $26,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $281
Graduation Rate 38%
What is the graduation rate at Virginia State University?
38% of students who start at Virginia State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 20% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Virginia State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Virginia State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $45,543. This is $4,848 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Virginia State take out in loans?
Graduates of Virginia State have to take out a median of $26,500 in federal student loans. This is $13,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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