Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Richmond, Virginia
93.1% Acceptance Rate
Virginia Commonwealth University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
93.1%Acceptance Rate
3.75Avg GPA
1168Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$34,346Annual Cost
$58,128Grad Salary
29.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.1%
Avg GPA
3.75
Avg SAT
1168
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1270
ACT Middle 50%
22–30
Avg Net Price
$19,452
Need-Based Aid
29.7% receive Pell
Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) is a major public research university known for its medical, arts, and innovation programs. Admissions are competitive, favoring high academic rigor. They seek students who are prepared for a high-intensity urban environment and who can demonstrate potential for specialized research or artistic output.
Virginia Commonwealth University Acceptance Rate
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 93.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 93.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.30
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Virginia Commonwealth University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Virginia Commonwealth University is November 1 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
VCU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at VCU is 3.75. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.45 and 3.75? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.95–4.15.VCU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.35 – 3.54
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.34
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate ~87?92% (BigFuture 92.31%, AcceptanceRate.com ~87%); essays optional for 2026 first-year applicants; at least one recommendation preferred; test-optional (no scores required for admission or scholarship except Honors College guaranteed health science admission pathways); Common App; $75 application fee; scholarship priority deadline November 1; regular decision deadline January 15 (guaranteed April 1 decision); ~33,000 students; founded 1838/1968; Richmond, VA.
- VCUarts: #1 public art and design school (US News); Graphic Design #1 nationally; portfolio required (12?16 pieces, past 2 years, 2D/3D/4D, submitted through VCU portal after Common App); music audition required (live or video, through April 11, 2026); dance audition required; faculty review all arts applications - NOT the central admissions office.
- MCV Campus health sciences (nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, clinical radiation sciences, dental hygiene): separate supplemental application required; physically distinct from Monroe Park Campus; Honors College offers early acceptance pathway to many MCV programs for strong freshman applicants requiring test scores; VCU Health System: Level 1 trauma center, nationally ranked cancer center.
- Two campuses: Monroe Park (arts, humanities, sciences, business, education) and MCV/Medical College of Virginia (health sciences); Monroe Ward neighborhood adjacent to campus (vibrant arts district, galleries, design firms); average admitted GPA mid-50% 3.13?3.52; SAT mid-50% 1010?1260 (optional); top 30 most innovative universities nationally (US News); ~200 academic programs.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at VCU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Virginia Commonwealth University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if VCU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into VCU Without SAT or ACT?
VCU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Virginia Commonwealth University Average SAT Score: 1168
The average SAT score of admitted students at Virginia Commonwealth University is 1168 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1168 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Virginia Commonwealth University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at VCU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 530 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1168 | 1030 | 1270 |
Below 1030, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of VCU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at VCU is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 30 |
Can I get into Virginia Commonwealth University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of VCU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at VCU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for VCU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
VCU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
VCUarts Applications Require a Separate Portfolio - The Common App Alone Does Not Complete Your File
VCU uses the Common App for all first-year applicants, and the general essay is optional for 2026 applicants. But if you are applying to any School of the Arts program - painting, graphic design, photography, fashion design, sculpture, interior design, kinetic imaging, product design, craft/material studies - you must submit a separate portfolio of 12?16 pieces through the VCU application portal after submitting the Common App. The portfolio should demonstrate artistic commitment, skill, curiosity, and creativity through work from the past two years; it may include 2D, 3D, and 4D media or investigate a single medium. Music applicants must audition (live preferred, video accepted through April 11, 2026); dance applicants must audition or submit video. Faculty - not the general admissions office - review all arts applications. Apply as early as possible for VCUarts; the school continues accepting applications on a rolling basis but priority slots fill before the January 15 regular decision deadline.
VCUarts Is Ranked #1 Public Art and Design School in the Nation - That Designation Is Specific
US News has consistently ranked VCUarts as the #1 public art and design school in the United States, with Graphic Design ranked #1 nationally (public or private). This is not a generic arts school ranked for "reputation" - it is a program whose faculty, alumni network, industry connections, and specific program offerings in craft, kinetic imaging, product design, and fashion design are calibrated to the professional art and design world at a level that most state university art programs are not. Richmond's Monroe Ward neighborhood, adjacent to the Monroe Park Campus, is one of the most vibrant arts and design districts in the mid-Atlantic. Students in VCUarts have immediate access to a professional creative community - working artists, galleries, design firms, and fashion studios - as a daily neighborhood resource, not as an occasional field trip.
MCV Campus Health Programs Require a Separate Supplemental Application
VCU's health sciences programs - nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, clinical radiation sciences, and dental hygiene - are housed on the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus, physically separate from the Monroe Park Campus where most undergraduate programs operate. Applying to VCU through the Common App does not complete your application to any MCV Campus health science program. Each program requires separate supplemental application materials submitted through the MCV-specific application process. VCU's Honors College also offers a pathway for qualified freshman applicants to receive early acceptance to many MCV Campus programs - if health sciences is your goal and you are a strong academic candidate, the Honors College early acceptance route is worth investigating alongside the standard MCV application pathway. Contact the specific health sciences program before applying to confirm current supplemental requirements, deadlines, and competitive GPA ranges.
Apply by November 1 for Scholarship Priority - The Essay Is Optional But Strategic
First-year applicants who submit by November 1 are automatically considered for VCU's Presidential, Provost, and Deans' scholarships. The regular decision deadline for guaranteed April 1 notification is January 15. The essay is optional for general VCU admission (2026 applicants), but at least one letter of recommendation is preferred. Test scores are optional for all applicants and are not required for scholarship consideration - a concrete and current departure from many peer institutions. However, VCU's Honors College guaranteed admission programs to specific health science tracks do require test scores. If you're targeting the Honors College health science pathway, contact the Honors College directly before deciding whether to test, since not testing may close that specific route.
Expert Insight:
VCU is genuinely urban - the Monroe Park Campus sits in Richmond's historic Fan District and Broad Street arts corridor, and the MCV Campus is embedded in downtown Richmond's medical complex. Students who come to VCU expecting a traditional campus experience with a defined perimeter, green quads, and a conventional college-town social infrastructure are consistently surprised by how much the campus is intertwined with the city. This is a feature for students who actively want an urban, professional, creative environment. It is a friction point for students who want a defined, self-contained campus. Visit VCU during a normal class week, walk both campuses, and interact with the surrounding neighborhoods before you commit. No visit-day tour conveys the daily reality of living and studying in this city the way a self-guided afternoon exploration does.
VCU Profile
Full Name
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
City
Richmond
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
23284-2512
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a VCU Degree Worth It?
At $34,346/year against a $58,128 median graduate salary, VCU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $72,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.78%.
How much does a degree from VCU Cost?
The sticker price is $34,346/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $19,452.
29.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 41.7% take federal loans at VCU. File your FAFSA early and list VCU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a VCU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,128. That's about 43% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Virginia Commonwealth University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Virginia Commonwealth University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | 1172 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Virginia Commonwealth University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at VCU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About VCU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Virginia Commonwealth University run about $58,128 a year.
Virginia Commonwealth University costs roughly $34,346 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 29.7% receive a Pell Grant at Virginia Commonwealth University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 93.1%, Virginia Commonwealth University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Virginia Commonwealth University average a 3.75 GPA.
Virginia Commonwealth University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.45 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.35, Virginia Commonwealth University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Virginia Commonwealth University — aim above 1168, ideally within the 1030–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Virginia Commonwealth University is November 1 for Early Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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