Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$20,566
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$14,507
$30k - $48k
$15,891
$48k - $75k
$18,553
$75k - $110k
$23,030
$110k+
$27,769
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$15,642
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$37,588
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$12,279
Books and Supplies
$1,240
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
50%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
29%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,811
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
29%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,610
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,361
Students receiving state aid
40%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$7,951
Students receiving federal aid
35%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,610
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$115,105,928
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$19,515,984

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
52%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,195
Students receiving federal loans
49%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,227
Average Other Loans Per Year
$16,644
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,750
Loan Default Rate
5%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$215

What Students Are Saying

With all of the great education that I am receiving from this institution, I have no doubt that I am definitely receiving my money's worth in that department. With that said, VCU could have a much improved dining plan, and selection, and the campus could be a little more closed off, and cleaner. I can not complain though.
Jerrod from Centreville, VA
For a public university, VCU's tuition is very reasonable. Take into account the kind of extensive research facilities available to VCU students and the tuition seems like an even bigger deal. If anything though, the dining hall food is um, somewhat under par.
Janet from Richmond, VA
Welcome to college, and loans, loans, and more loans. College is not cheap, but wouldn't you want to be paying for a good education? You are here. Plus, in state tuition isn't very expensive here. The really expensive thing is the dining plans. Something that is NOT optional if you live in the dorms.
Caroline from Ford, VA
One of the reasons why I chose to come here was because of the in-state tuition. With that said, it's not terribly expensive for a public school, and your bill includes activities that help the school help the students (for example, you can get the flu shot or visit the nurse's office for free at Student Health).
Kalyann from Gainesville, VA
VCU School of the Arts is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as both the 1st public college art program and the 4th overall in the United States. Since being here, I certainly see why. However, it is still one of the cheapest ones around. VCU's art program has challenged me more than even my AP art class did. I like the curriculum here, too. During freshman year all potential art majors are in Art Foundation and start off running. This semester I had two studio classes, an art projects class, an art history class, and another honors art class. Next semester will again be two studio classes, one art projects class, and an art history class. In March of freshman year we then declare our top three choices for our art concentration. By exposing students to this much art as freshman, we can better see where our interests and strengths lie. By the end of Spring Semester freshman year, we then know in which discipline we will be placed, determining which specific curriculum we will pursue for the rest of our time at VCU. This makes a lot of sense to me, as art is a field in which a person must be passionate and really like what he is doing. The toughness of the curriculum early on allows students to see if this is what one really want to do for the rest of his life. If not, then the switch to another major can be made early in the college career. Since VCU is a large university of over 32,000 students, it offers a wide variety of activities. Finally, with Richmond as one of the cultural centers of Virginia, something happens there all of the time. In short, VCU and Richmond: something for everybody! Just look!
Amanda from Winston Salem, NC
It is more than a bang for the buck. Although out of state tuition is expensive, the price is nothing compared to other art schools. It is well worth it, and i recommend it to any one.
Breonca from miami, FL
The city is great and the school is awesome but sometimes I wish the tuition was not so high. Also, the cost of living in Richmond is a little pricey. This is why I chose to live off campus and not downtown. However, there are so many things to do in the city as well as at VCU. Richmond holds a variety of festivals, there are always concert events, the restaurant choices are endless and the clubs never let me down. VCU offers a large amount of organizations, free activities and events, free access to the gym with your VCU id card, even library access until after midnight! Free movie showings almost every weekend is definitely a plus, too. There is never a day that something is NOT going on. Being a student here at VCU will not let you down because there are so many activities and events you can involve yourself in.
Kaleigh from Williamsburg, VA
I mean if it's a place that allows you to understand how to live in the real world and understand that people are different, while still offering you every opportunity to learn, how can it not be a great bang for the buck?
Stacy from Centreville, VA
yes, there are some things that could use improvement, but overall vcu is a very good choice. you'll learn a lot, and there's a ton of amazing research happening here that is going to be instrumental in years to come, and you are more than welcome to participate.
bethany from richmond, va