Research.com
Virginia State University logo

Virginia State University

#569 in US ranking Petersburg, VA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Virginia State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$28,338
Tuition & fees
$10,043
Avg. aid
$15,647
Receiving aid
92%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
89%
SAT range
840–1070
ACT range
14–20

Outcomes

Graduation rate
39%
Median salary
$39,209
1 yr after graduation

What does Virginia State University offer in terms of athletics?

Virginia State University's Trojans compete in NCAA Division II and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Varsity offerings include football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track and field, and other sports, with teams and eligibility varying by sport.

Varsity competition differs from recreational play: joining a team involves its recruiting, tryout, and athletics-eligibility processes. Cheerleading and the marching band provide other ways to participate in game-day activities but should not be treated as interchangeable with NCAA varsity teams. Students primarily seeking informal exercise or competition should check current campus recreation and intramural schedules rather than assume that every varsity sport also has a club or intramural counterpart.

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

Virginia State University offers student organizations through which students can pursue academic interests, service, cultural activities, performance, and student leadership. Student government and Greek-letter organizations are among the broader participation options associated with campus life.

Organization listings have included Golden Key Honor Society, Sankofa, AbstraKt Entertainment, Diversified Virtue Entertainment, and The Betterment of Brothers and Sisters. A listing alone does not establish that a group is recruiting or meeting in a particular semester, so students interested in one should check the current recognized-organization directory and activity calendar. Academic clubs can be especially useful for meeting peers in a major, while service and arts groups offer opportunities beyond coursework.

Who studies at Virginia State University?

Virginia State University enrolls about 5,605 students in the reported institutional count. Its student body includes a substantial first-year group as well as transfers, graduate students, and older learners, although traditional college-age students make up much of enrollment.

Reported figures include 1,489 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 264 transfer-in students. About 68% of students were Virginia residents, while about 31% came from other U.S. states. VSU's historically Black identity is also reflected in enrollment: a reported 4,214 students identified as Black or African American. These figures describe who attended in the reporting periods; they do not establish what any individual student's social or classroom experience will be. Applicants comparing campus size should also distinguish total enrollment from the number of students in their intended program.

How does student life look like at Virginia State University?

Student life at Virginia State University combines a residential campus experience with opportunities for commuting students to participate in classes, events, and support services. The university has a student-run newspaper, theater activity, a marching band, and choral groups, giving students options that do not depend on joining a varsity team.

For a new student, the practical question is often when activities happen and how they fit around travel, work, and classes. Orientation and early-semester programming can provide a starting point for meeting peers; commuters may want to check evening transportation and parking arrangements before committing to late events. VSU also reports a student health clinic and personal counseling services. Students with ongoing medical or accessibility needs should establish how to arrange appointments and accommodations early in the term.

What libraries are available to students at Virginia State University?

Johnston Memorial Library is Virginia State University's main campus library. It supports coursework and research through its collections, study areas, and access to academic information resources.

Students should look beyond the physical shelves when assessing library support: database access, online journals, research guidance, and help finding materials can matter as much as a print collection, particularly for upper-level projects. The library's current website and staff can clarify remote-access instructions, borrowing rules, and options for obtaining material not held locally. Students planning intensive evening study should check posted hours; the reported library information does not indicate a continuously open, 24-hour study area.

Virginia State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

5605

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1482

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

334 full time, 188 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Virginia State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 5,124
Graduate: 481

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 5,228
Part-time: 377

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 871
Men: 611

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 313
Black or African American: 4,214
White: 99
American Indian or Alaska Native: 11
Asian: 13
Two or more races: 269
Unknown: 101

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Virginia State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men–Men

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Bowling

Women–Women

Cheerleading

Both––

Cross-country running

Both–Both

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

Both–Both

Softball

Women–Women

Tennis

BothBothBoth

Track and field

BothBothBoth

Volleyball

WomenWomenWomen

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles