Facts and rankings
Unlike any other
VCU is a community of more than 300,000 Rams — each a unique mix of style, story and attitude — that is forging a future that is built by us. Every day, we blend discovery and creativity to generate new ideas, all in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Our impact can be felt in more than 200 academic programs, from our world-renowned arts and advertising programs to our top-ranked hospital and health science schools. And it’s all happening in a city that’s teeming with opportunities to make real and lasting change.
If that sounds too good to be true, here are the stats to back it up.
Location
Richmond, VA
School colors
Black and gold
Mascot
Rodney the Ram
Quick facts
- 28,831 students enrolled
- 17:1 student-faculty ratio
- 2,441 full-time faculty
- 226,868 alums
Programs and schools ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s top 50
These rankings are based on the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools, Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges rankings.
Graduate programs
1st Fine Arts — Sculpture
2nd Fine Arts — Printmaking
3rd Health Care Management
4th Fine Arts
4th Fine Arts — Graphic Design
5th Time-Based/New Media
6th Homeland Security
6th Nurse Anesthesia
6th Rehabilitation Counseling
12th Fine Arts — Painting/Drawing
14th Occupational Therapy
18th Nuclear Engineering
19th Pharmacy
19th Special Education
25th Best Education Schools
28th Social Work
Graduate programs (cont.)
29th Physical Therapy
33rd Public Management and Leadership
39th Public Affairs
43rd Clinical Psychology
Online programs
15th Online Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision Program
45th Online Master’s in Education — Overall
Undergraduate programs
39th Nursing
A university for Richmond
- 25,359 employees at VCU and VCU Health System
- $6 billion economic impact as Richmond’s largest employer
- 950+ alumni-owned businesses in Richmond
- 35% of alums live in Richmond
Our students
28,831 students
83% full time
85% Virginia residents
21,563 undergraduates
5,800 graduates
1,468 first professionals
1,413 new transfer students (fall 2023)
1,171 Honors students
1,165 international students
5,956 residence hall capacity
VCU is a Diversity Champion
- 6-time Diversity Champion from INSIGHT’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award
- 57% of undergraduate students and more than half of all students are from minority backgrounds
- 37% of incoming freshmen at VCU are first-generation college students
- More than 1/3 of undergraduate students are Pell Grant-eligible
- Students from 46 states, Washington, D.C., and 138 countries worldwide
- We are the only institution in Virginia to be named an “age-friendly university” by the Gerontological Society of America.
Undergraduate tuition and fees* and financial aid
Virginia resident: $16,720
Nonresident: $39,884
Room and board**: $14,268
Average financial aid awarded to full-time undergraduates seeking assistance in 2023-24: $19,919
* Based on 15 credit hours per semester and 30 credit hours for the 2024-25 year. This does not include program fees, which vary based on a student’s major.
** Room charge is based on a double occupancy in Rhoads Hall and the dining rate is for the 200 swipes with $225 dining dollars meal plan for the 2024-25 year.
Quick facts
- Top 50 National Science Foundation public research university
- Top 20% Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report
Our research and innovation
- One of only 69 public universities nationwide classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an “R1 Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity,” as well as its prestigious “Community Engagement” status.
- More than $500 million in sponsored research in FY 2024.
- Among public universities, seven of our schools and programs rank in the top 20 in terms of funding from the National Institutes of Health — pharmacology (No. 12), family medicine (No. 13), psychiatry (No. 14), School of Dentistry (No. 14), School of Nursing (No. 16), School of Pharmacy (No. 16) and genetics (No. 17)
- Recipient of the Innovation & Economic Prosperity Talent award from the Association of Public Land-grant Universities in 2023.
No. 1 hospital in Richmond
- VCU Medical Center is both the region’s safety net hospital and its No. 1-ranked hospital (per the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings).
- It is the only Level I trauma center in the region that is verified in burn, pediatric and adult trauma care.
- More than 800 clinical trials and research studies open for enrollment
Campuses
198 acres in downtown Richmond: Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus. And we earned a Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Looking for even more facts about VCU?
Explore the latest facts and figures.
Accreditation
SACSCOC
VCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. VCU also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of VCU may be directed in writing to SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
For more information, visit academics.provost.islmway.com/assessment-accreditation-and-compliance/accreditation.
Additional accreditations
For information on specialized university program accreditations or certifications, please visit the department or office website of which the program is a part, or view this list of specialized accreditations by college or school.
Student consumer information
Students and prospective students may find the information resources of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia of use in planning for college and careers. SCHEV has created an institutional profile for each Virginia public college and university, and for each independent college or university participating in the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program.