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Virginia Commonwealth University

901 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284-9005, USA

Virginia Commonwealth University award
Virginia Commonwealth University award
US ranking
position: 84
Tuition & fees per year: $17,240
Acceptance rate: 93.00%
Median alumni salary: $41,934
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1185 SAT, 25 ACT
Entrance difficulty: N/A

What does Virginia Commonwealth University offer in terms of athletics?

Virginia Commonwealth University maintains a competitive athletics program that participates primarily in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university fields a range of varsity sports teams for both men and women, including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and track and field. The men's basketball team is particularly notable, having gained recognition for multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament and a strong local and national following.

Student-athletes at the university benefit from training facilities, coaching staff, and support services designed to foster both athletic and academic success. The university emphasizes a balance between sports and education, encouraging participants to excel in their studies while competing at a high level.

In addition to varsity sports, Virginia Commonwealth University offers various intramural and club sports programs, providing opportunities for broader student involvement and recreation beyond the varsity level. These programs contribute to campus life by promoting health, teamwork, and school spirit among the student body.

What student groups and Associations are available at Virginia Commonwealth University?

Virginia Commonwealth University has a diverse student population, with a total enrollment composed of 6,788 men and 11,886 women. However, specific details about student groups and associations offered at the university are not available from the provided data. There is no information on the types of student organizations, social clubs, or the percentage of students involved in these groups. Prospective students interested in student life at Virginia Commonwealth University may need to consult the university directly or visit its official resources for up-to-date and detailed information about extracurricular opportunities.

Who studies at Virginia Commonwealth University?

Virginia Commonwealth University hosts a large and diverse student body, with a total enrollment of 5,936 new students, placing it among the very largest universities nationwide in terms of fresh incoming students. Freshman enrollment itself is notably high at 4,519 students, ranking in the top 5% compared to other institutions. Transfer students also represent a significant portion, with 1,417 arrivals, which is in the top 15% nationally.

The university's student population includes predominantly in-state residents, accounting for 92% of the students, a proportion considered very high and placing Virginia Commonwealth University in the top 20% nationally for this category. Out-of-state students comprise only 6%, a relatively low figure that places the university in the bottom 20% in terms of attracting non-resident students. Nearly all students are from within the United States, with 98% classified as domestic, which ranks in the top 30% of universities by the share of U. S. students enrolled. International students represent about 1% of the population, an average representation falling in the lower third among peers.

Age distribution among undergraduates shows typical trends, with a majority aged 18 to 21: 7,894 students are 18-19 years old and 7,403 are 20-21 years old, followed by significant numbers in the early twenties and fewer students in older brackets. Graduate students tend to be older, with the largest groups aged 22-29 and a notable presence in the 30s and beyond, reflecting the continuation of education for working professionals or career changers.

The racial and ethnic composition reflects a highly diverse community. African American students number 4,797, making up a very high proportion and placing the university in the top 5% nationally for this demographic. White students are also well represented at 8,006, a figure in the top 10% among comparable institutions. Hispanic students total 2,514, ranking in the top 30%, while Asian students number 2,869, placing Virginia Commonwealth University in the top 5% for this group. Students identifying with two or more races are also prominently represented at 1,695, which is remarkably high and among the very top in the nation. Smaller but still average representations include Native American students and Pacific Islanders.

How does student life look like at Virginia Commonwealth University?

Virginia Commonwealth University offers a vibrant student life enriched by a variety of campus activities and support services. The university hosts active student-run outlets including a newspaper, drama productions, a radio station, a chorus, and a campus TV channel, providing numerous opportunities for creative engagement and community involvement.

Health and well-being are supported through on-campus resources such as a health clinic, psychological counseling services, and a veterans affairs office, ensuring that diverse student needs are addressed. Additionally, the presence of a women's center offers focused support and programming for female students.

The university's sizable campus, spanning 198 acres, facilitates a dynamic environment conducive to both academic and extracurricular pursuits. With a student-faculty ratio of 17, students can expect a learning setting that balances significant access to faculty with a diverse student body totaling over 28,000 individuals.

Virginia Commonwealth University's participation in NCAA athletics adds another dimension to campus life, engaging students in both competitive sports and community school spirit. This affiliation indicates a commitment to organized collegiate sports that complement academic life.

What libraries are available to students at Virginia Commonwealth University?

Virginia Commonwealth University offers students access to a robust library system comprised of four libraries, including the prominent Cabel Library and Thompkins McCaw Library. This collection size places the university's libraries among the top 20% nationally, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to academic resources.

The university's libraries hold over 1.3 million physical books, ranking highly within the top 20% of academic libraries in the country. Additionally, students benefit from an extensive e-book collection, with more than 1.6 million titles available, positioning the digital holdings within the top 15% nationwide.

While the number of subscriptions, totaling 28,936, is around the average range and places the university in the top 35%, the collection of digital subscriptions is also significant, with 192,756 titles providing access that meets the median level among comparable institutions.

The libraries provide 659 databases for research, which is considered average and falls just below the 50th percentile nationally. Service-wise, students can take advantage of 122 weekly service hours, and both physical and digital facilities are fully accessible, with all-day access and available study rooms to support diverse study needs.

Staff members at the libraries are professionally trained to assist students, and there is established operational scheduling to ensure consistent availability. Access to shared collections further enhances research opportunities by broadening the range of materials accessible to students beyond the university's own holdings.

Virginia Commonwealth University Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

28464

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

4149

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

1248 full time, 919 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Virginia Commonwealth University Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Cabel Library and Thompkins McCaw Library

Number of libraries on campus

4

Reservable study rooms in library

Yes

24h access

Yes

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

Virginia Commonwealth University Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

Virginia Commonwealth University Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshly enrolled students' state of residence

US
International

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Virginia Commonwealth University Location & Map

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