Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research university in the heart of Richmond, known nationally for VCUarts, consistently ranked the top public art and design school in the country, and for a major academic medical center on its adjacent MCV health sciences campus. It enrolls about 21,200 undergraduates and admits about 84% of applicants, with Virginia residents accepted at a notably higher rate than out-of-state applicants. Enrolled first-years post an average high school GPA of 3.63 and middle-50% SAT scores of 1010–1260, and visual and performing arts, business, and the health-related sciences are among the most popular fields.
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VCU admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admitted~1.2× higher admit rate for in-state applicants.
Early Admissions
VCU does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
VCU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where VCU's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 16% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. VCU does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How VCU weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from VCU's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,474 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about VCU admissions
What is VCU's acceptance rate?＋
VCU admitted about 84% of first-year applicants in the Fall 2024 cycle, drawing roughly 23,900 applications and enrolling around 4,550 students. Virginia residents are admitted at a higher rate (about 88%) than out-of-state applicants (about 75%), and competitive programs like VCUarts and the Honors College run tighter than the overall rate.
Is it hard to get into VCU?＋
Getting into VCU is not difficult for the university as a whole, which admits about 8 in 10 applicants. The bar rises sharply for selective programs: VCUarts requires a portfolio or audition, and the Honors College looks for a GPA near 3.5 and test scores well above the typical admit. For general admission, a solid academic record and a complete application carry the day.
What GPA do you need to get into VCU?＋
Admitted first-years average a 3.63 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, and about 26% of enrolled students earned a 4.0. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so strong grades in a challenging schedule are the surest path in.
Is a 1200 SAT good enough for VCU?＋
A 1200 is competitive at VCU and lands near the upper half of enrolled students. The middle 50% of first-years who submitted scores fell between 1010 and 1260 on the SAT and 22 and 30 on the ACT, so a 1200 sits comfortably inside that range, close to the 75th percentile.
Is VCU test-optional?＋
Yes, VCU is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Only about a third of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score. If you do submit, scores are weighed as a considered factor alongside your GPA and course rigor, which carry more weight in the review.
How much does VCU cost for out-of-state students?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $17,240 for Virginia residents and $39,714 for out-of-state students. VCU is overwhelmingly an in-state university, with only about 8% of first-years coming from outside Virginia, and non-residents are admitted at a lower rate (about 75%) than Virginia residents (about 88%). For many out-of-state students, cost is as big a consideration as admission odds.
What is VCU known for academically?＋
VCU is best known for the arts and the health sciences. VCUarts is one of the top-ranked public art and design schools in the country, visual and performing arts is the single most popular degree area at about 14% of graduates, and the MCV campus anchors a large medical center that feeds nursing, pharmacy, and allied-health programs. Business and psychology round out the most-enrolled fields.
Does the application essay matter at VCU?＋
Yes. VCU rates the application essay as an important factor, ranking it above test scores, recommendations, and extracurriculars, which are only considered. Since the academic numbers of most applicants look similar, a specific, well-revised essay about why VCU fits your goals is a real chance to stand out.
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. Acceptance Rate is from SCHEV B08H. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with VCU. Banner photo by Jay Paul (VCU Libraries), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).