Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Virginia State University is a public regional university located in Petersburg, Virginia. Virginia State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Virginia State University is in the bottom 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $41,987 10 years after enrolling, 33rd in Virginia, and in the bottom 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Virginia State University bachelor students earn 19% less than the national average.
Virginia State University’s median net annual cost of $17,237 and average years to graduate of 4.9 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Virginia State University sorted by number of graduates - Psychology, Comms & Media Studies, Criminal Justice, Biology, Education (subject specific), Business Administration - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$17,237
Average years to graduate
4.9
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Mechanical Engr. Tech
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 2.43
Manufacturing Engineering
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 3.23
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 5.01
Information Systems Mgmt.
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 6.26
Hospitality Mgmt.
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 9.61
Social Work
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 9.64
Marketing
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 13.31
Consumer Economics
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 17.86
Electric Engr. Tech
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 25.58
Accounting
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 52.32
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 1 graduate programs at Virginia State University - Student Counseling - are shown below.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.9 years. 45% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Virginia State University is 17% lower than the state average, and 12% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Virginia State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 68% of the measured graduating class, 33% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Virginia State University graduates within 4.9 years.
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 State University’s economic mobility score of 17.93 is calculated by adjusting the 5.98 economic score of lower-income students by the 68% pell grant recipients within the student body. Virginia State University’s EMS of 17.93 ranks in the top 50% nationally. Please note that the economic mobility score considers only students that have graduated.
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 State University pays $17,237 a year, $6,436 less than the $23,673 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 $17,237
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Virginia State University, 92% 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 $17,237 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 92% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,404. This is 38% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$7,480
Pell grants
$4,782
State grants
$7,085
Institutional grants
$3,639
Virginia State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 96% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 9,978 applicants, of which 9,587 were admitted and 920 enrolled. Virginia State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
97%
83%
Female
56%
59%
First time
71%
59%
In-state
63%
68%
1st generation
34%
35%
White
3%
52%
Black
95%
14%
Hispanic
N/A
15%
Asian
N/A
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
2%
12%