Virginia Commonwealth University: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia is one of the oldest institutes in the city of Richmond, Virginia. With an establishment of more than 150 years ago, the University is home to the first organ transplant center in the state. 

The University hosts more than 30,000 students annually including more than 1,260 international students from 101 countries. China, India, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the top four countries contributing to the number of international students at VCU. 

With over 200 programs to offer including 68 undergraduate courses, 70 graduate courses, and 46 online certifications the Virginia Commonwealth University has maintained its reputation across the international portal. Apart from these degrees, Doctoral and professional programs are also offered by the university to students who want to study in the USA.

Besides excellent academic support, the University provides the city of Richmond with safety and best-ranked medical facilities. The hospital is the only level 1 trauma center in the city with expertise in adult trauma, pediatric and burns.

Rankings

• The Virginia Commonwealth University has ranked among the top 3 research universities in the state of Virginia
• #391 rank among colleges in the USA according to Times Higher Education.
• VCU also ranks under 650 on a global scale.
• According to US News and World Reports, VCU ranks under top 50 for the Best Graduate School and Online Colleges rankings. 
• According to National Institutes of Health, VCU ranks #32 nationally for neuroscience research and #14 for addiction studies research. 

Highlights

Programs/Courses at Virginia Commonwealth University

With over 200 courses to offer, the Virginia Commonwealth University is moving forward with great strides of professionalism. The university offers bachelor's, master's, professional and doctoral degrees along with a few certificate programs through its 20 schools. 

VCU offers over 60 bachelor programs and 70 graduate programs. With a student:faculty ratio of 18:1, VCU works towards providing quality education to its students through a small class size. 

Most popular programs offered at VCU include Business, Psychology, Physical Education and Exercise Science, Nursing, Marketing, Political Science, Mass Communication, Social Work, etc.

VCU Campus

A 173 acres campus to explore, the Virginia Commonwealth University is providing its students with an immense environment to reach out and develop their personality. VCU has the biggest campus in downtown Richmond. 

Virginia Commonwealth University has seven branch campuses and satellite locations

• Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
• VCUarts Qatar
• VCU Health satellite locations
• VCU Rice Rivers Center
• VCU School of Medicine Inova Fairfax Campus
• VCU School of Pharmacy Inova Campus
• VCU School of Pharmacy University of Virginia Division

Accommodation/ Housing Facilities

Freshmen must consider living on the campus for the first academic term to attain maximum exposure and involvement at the University. With over 6,000 students living on-campus, VCU ensures a better living experience for students through its 12 residence halls in the north, central and south campus.

VCU offers its students traditional, suite or apartment style living. The halls dedicated to freshmen or first-year students include Brandt Hall, Gladding Residence Center III, Honors College, Johnson Hall, Rhoads Hall, Well Grace South and the Gladding Residence Center. 

Students can also look for affordable student housing off-campus. There are a number of apartments available near the university campus. 

Application Process at VCU

The Virginia Commonwealth University is home to more than 1,200 international scholars. The University welcomes global applications every year but under the due deadline. No applications for admissions at VCU are accepted after the closing of the provided dates. 

VCU had an enrollment of 23,172 UG students, 5,292 PG students, and 1,639 first professionals.

Application: Students can fill an application form online through Common Application or Freshman Applicants Page.

Application Fee: A non-refundable amount of 70 USD is charged by the University along with filling the application. The payment can be made via credit card. No applications will proceed without paying the above mentioned amount.

Application Deadline: Admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University are open for the Fall and Spring semesters. International must complete their UG applications by June 1 for the Fall semester and October 1 for the Spring semester. Application deadlines for PG programs vary.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Academic transcripts from all educational institutions attended which are evaluated by a member of NACES
• English proficiency scores

• Scores of standardized exams to study in the USA
• Financial Certification with the availability of expenses to cover one year of tuition and living while studying at VCU
• Copy of Passport

A PDF file of the supplemental documents can be sent to the office via globalfiles@vcu.edu.

Supplemental materials may also be mailed to:

Virginia Commonwealth University – International Admissions
408 West Franklin Street
Box 843012
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043
USA

Cost of Attendance

Below mentioned is an estimated cost of Living for the undergraduate scholars:

The fee mentioned above are the estimated expenses that a student needs to incur while studying at VCU. Students can calculate their expenses and cost of living using the official calculator of the University.

Scholarship And Financial Aids

The Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia grants scholarships, loans and other financial aids to its foreign students. This is to ensure an unhindered education through the course completion.

UG Merit-based scholarships are granted only to the Fall semester students pursuing undergraduate programs. Students are required to submit their admission application by November 15. 

A few of the scholarships offered to the students at VCU are:

• PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
  • Amount Awarded: 16,000 USD per annum
  • Renewal scope: Can be renewed for three consecutive academic terms
  • Average GPA: 4.58
• PROVOST SCHOLARSHIP:
  • Amount Awarded: 16,000 USD per annum
  • Renewal scope: Can be received for full four academic terms
  • Average GPA: 4.55
• DEAN’s SCHOLARSHIP:
  • Amount Awarded: 8,000 USD per annum
  • Renewal scope: Can be received for fullfour academic terms
  • Average GPA: 4.41

International students can also apply for various outside international scholarships offered by the respective home countries or private organizations. 

Alumni Network

With over 193,724 people calling Virginia Commonwealth University as their Alma mater, the relations of the University with its alumni are at par. Such strong bonds not only explain the University’s welcoming approach but the Alumni play a key role during on-campus placements of the students. Let’s take a look at some notable Alumni of VCU:

• David Baldacci- International bestseller
• Devonne Harris (DJ Harris)- Disco-jockey
• Carrie Dolan- Ph.D. Health scholar