Virginia State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Virginia residents. graduation rate is below 40%; earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 72% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Virginia State University is a public institution located in Petersburg, Virginia with approximately 5,074 undergraduate students enrolled. Virginia State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 89%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,840 per year. The graduation rate is 39%, and the typical graduate earns $38,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Virginia State University is a public historically Black land-grant university in Ettrick, Virginia, United States. Founded on March 6, 1882 , Virginia State developed as the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans. The university is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $14,553/year net price, this HBCU is genuinely affordable, and the $17,500 median debt at graduation is quite manageable — but the 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag, meaning fewer than half of students who start here actually finish. Worth considering if you're drawn to the tight-knit HBCU community and have a clear plan to stay on track academically, but come in with eyes open and a strong support system in place.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 3% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,074 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.