Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public national university located in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Virginia Commonwealth University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $50,106 10 years after enrolling, 18th in Virginia, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Virginia Commonwealth University bachelor students earn 2% less than the national average. Virginia Commonwealth University is ranked 17th in Virginia.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s median net annual cost of $20,490 and average years to graduate of 4.6 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Virginia Commonwealth University sorted by number of graduates - Psychology, Education (subject specific), Biology, Design & Applied Arts, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Business and Commerce - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$20,490
Average years to graduate
4.6
Computer science
Rank: #119
Economic score: 1.76
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #195
Economic score: 2.25
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #35
Economic score: 2.43
Registered Nursing
Rank: #368
Economic score: 2.45
Criminal Justice
Rank: #202
Economic score: 4.89
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #229
Economic score: 5.21
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #293
Economic score: 6.4
Chemistry
Rank: #147
Economic score: 6.54
Social Work
Rank: #169
Economic score: 6.98
Marketing
Rank: #357
Economic score: 7.23
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Virginia Commonwealth University - Social Work, Business Administration, Business and Commerce, Registered Nursing, Education, Health & Fitness - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #8
Economic score: 0.27
Mental & Social Health Services
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.37
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #44
Economic score: 0.42
Special Education
Rank: #57
Economic score: 0.42
Public Administration
Rank: #30
Economic score: 0.42
Quantitative methods Mgmt.
Rank: #29
Economic score: 0.51
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.61
Urban Studies
Rank: #5
Economic score: 0.72
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #103
Economic score: 0.96
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #26
Economic score: 1.05
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.6 years. 69% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Virginia Commonwealth University is 6% higher than the state average, and 1% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Virginia Commonwealth University, Pell Grant recipients represent 30% of the measured graduating class, 5% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Virginia Commonwealth University graduates within 4.6 years.
Virginia Commonwealth University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s economic mobility score of 18.51 is calculated by adjusting the 2.94 economic score of lower-income students by the 30% pell grant recipients within the student body. Virginia Commonwealth University’s EMS of 18.51 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Virginia Commonwealth University pays $20,490 a year, $12,507 less than the $32,997 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $20,490
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Virginia Commonwealth University, 78% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $20,490 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 47% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,946. This is 7% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,174
Pell grants
$4,806
State grants
$7,289
Institutional grants
$7,266
Virginia Commonwealth University offers 3 online bachelor programs, all of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level Virginia Commonwealth University offers 16 programs, all of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
19
Percentage of programs online
14%
Virginia Commonwealth University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 93% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 17,579 applicants, of which 16,308 were admitted and 4,084 enrolled. Virginia Commonwealth University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
90%
83%
Female
62%
59%
First time
55%
59%
In-state
90%
68%
1st generation
28%
35%
White
42%
52%
Black
20%
14%
Hispanic
11%
15%
Asian
14%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
12%
12%