Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Virginia Commonwealth University
Set in the heart of Richmond's murals and river rapids, the university lives as an urban campus threaded into the city. Virginia Commonwealth University is known for broad strengths in arts and design, health care, science and tech, and the social sciences. Classes lean into real projects, with access to studios, labs, libraries, and collaborative workspaces, plus advising, tutoring, and counseling when you need them.
Student life feels creative and unpretentious, with galleries, live music, spirited black-and-gold game days, and plenty of clubs. Fitness centers and nearby trails pull students outside, and the river is a weekend habit. Career prep runs through everything, from a career center that connects students with employers to internships with state agencies, hospitals, nonprofits, and creative firms. The city adds momentum, offering neighborhoods to explore and employers to meet. Notable alum: pro football tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers 141 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 7,390 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (29 programs, 1,185 graduates), Business (12 programs, 833 graduates), Arts (16 programs, 715 graduates), Education (14 programs, 636 graduates) and Psychology (4 programs, 597 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (29 programs, 1,185 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 203 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Medicine | 175 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Dentistry | 105 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0401 |
| Pharmacy | 102 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Health Administration and Management | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0701 |
| Nursing Practice | 86 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3818 |
| Nurse Anesthesia | 56 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3804 |
| Physical Therapy | 55 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2308 |
| Occupational Therapy | 49 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2306 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 40 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.2310 |
| Radiologic Technology | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0911 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.1005 |
| Public Health | 22 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Dental Clinical Sciences | 16 |
|
Master's
|
51.0501 |
| Dental Hygiene | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0602 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 16 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2010 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.1501 |
| Genetic Counseling | 11 |
|
Master's
|
51.1509 |
| Health and Medical Administration | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.0799 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.1506 |
| Nursing Science | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3808 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3810 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.9999 |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2207 |
| Public Health | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2299 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3805 |
| Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology | 3 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0503 |
| Clinical Research Coordination | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.0719 |
| Healthcare Innovation | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.0722 |
Business (12 programs, 833 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 346 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0101 |
| Marketing Management | 154 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Business Administration and Management | 94 |
|
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 74 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting | 69 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Business Economics | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 23 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0203 |
| Real Estate | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1501 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0899 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0206 |
| Human Resources Development | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1005 |
| Management Science | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1301 |
Arts (16 programs, 715 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illustration | 139 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0410 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0407 |
| Graphic Design | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Theatre Arts | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Photography | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
| Applied Arts and Design | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0499 |
| Music Performance | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Interior Design | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Painting | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0708 |
| Craft Design and Artisanry | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0201 |
| Sculpture | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0709 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies | 19 |
|
Master's
|
50.0799 |
| Art History and Conservation | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0703 |
| Dance | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 12 |
|
Master's
|
50.0401 |
Education (14 programs, 636 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Education Teacher Preparation | 278 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1307 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 92 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| General Education | 71 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Elementary Education | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1202 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 37 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1001 |
| Art Education | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1302 |
| Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 12 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1007 |
| Adult and Continuing Education | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1201 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 7 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0499 |
| Early Childhood Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
Psychology (4 programs, 597 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 580 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Clinical Psychology | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2801 |
| Health Psychology | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2810 |
| Counseling Psychology | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2803 |
Public Services (2 programs, 490 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 455 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 35 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44.0401 |
Biological Sciences (13 programs, 476 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 347 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Bioinformatics | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.1103 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 26 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0102 |
| Genetics and Medical Genetics | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0806 |
| Pharmacology | 11 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1001 |
| Biostatistics | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1102 |
| Biochemistry | 4 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0202 |
| Anatomy | 4 |
|
Master's
|
26.0403 |
| Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology | 4 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0503 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0908 |
| General Physiology | 2 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0901 |
| Neuroscience | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
| Epidemiology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1309 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 376 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 199 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
43.0103 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0406 |
| Protective Services | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
43.9999 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 348 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 184 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0101 |
| Information Science | 164 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11.0401 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 337 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 157 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 69 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1101 |
| Urban Studies and Affairs | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1201 |
| Anthropology | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 19 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.0702 |
| Social Sciences | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.9999 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 5 |
|
Master's
|
45.0603 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
How much does it cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)?
The annual tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is $16,233 for in-state students and $38,817 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $39,742 for in-state students and $62,326 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,119 (on) / $14,054 (off) and books and supplies $1,240.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Virginia Commonwealth University offer?
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers 141 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (≥2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (29 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (12 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (16 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (14 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has an 93.1% acceptance rate and a 25.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 19,052
- Students admitted: 17,729
- Students enrolled: 4,519
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $12,433 and average loans of $7,737.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,355
- State/Local grants: $7,178
- Institutional grants: $6,925
- Federal loans: $5,256
The university supports 4,094 students with grants and 2,014 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Virginia Commonwealth University graduates?
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) graduates earn a median salary of $47,161 after 6 years and $58,128 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,933 (25th percentile) to $84,890 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $86,100 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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