Virginia State University combines open access admission with demonstrated economic mobility outcomes. The university generates $7,337 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining costs below peer medians, supporting long-term advancement for predominantly low-income and first-generation student populations seeking affordable pathways to economic mobility.
With modestly below average results, driven by earnings levels that fall below national medians despite strong uplift performance
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels relative to peer institutions
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's commitment to enrolling Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average results, indicating effectiveness in converting access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisVirginia State University delivers earnings beyond expectations while maintaining manageable costs for students. Graduates earn $7,337 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution in the 80.5th percentile for earnings uplift.
This performance indicates strong value creation despite median earnings of $45,543 ranking in the 28th percentile nationally. Earnings range from $27,137 at the 25th percentile to $65,094 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines.
Students seeking affordable access to higher education with strong institutional support for first-generation and low-income students. Well-suited for those interested in psychology, criminal justice, education, or engineering technology programs at a historically black public university that demonstrates above-average earnings beyond expectations despite moderate overall earning levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Virginia State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/virginia-state-university/analysis.
Top-tier access with strong mobility outcomes
Virginia State University ranks #294 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 82nd percentile. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission standards with an 89.1% acceptance rate while serving a predominantly low-income student population.
Virginia State University enrolls 71.0% Pell-eligible students and 34.2% first-generation students, positioning it well above typical institutions on access measures. The university demonstrates well above average mobility performance at the 84.4th percentile, reflecting its effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for underserved student populations.
Graduates earn $7,337 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 80.5th percentile nationally on this uplift measure. While median earnings reach $45,543 ten years after enrollment, the institution's strength lies in converting educational access into meaningful economic advancement for students who might otherwise lack higher education opportunities.
Virginia State University maintains open access admission standards, admitting 89.1% of applicants. This acceptance rate means roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive admission offers, positioning Virginia State University as highly accessible to students seeking higher education opportunities.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Virginia State University admits students at rates 4.5 percentage points higher than similar institutions. This level of accessibility reflects the university's mission to serve underrepresented student populations and provide educational opportunity for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions.
For prospective students, this admission rate suggests that academic preparation, while important, is evaluated within a holistic framework that considers potential for success rather than purely competitive metrics. Students should approach Virginia State University as an accessible option where admission is likely for those meeting basic academic requirements.
The open access model means that students can focus on demonstrated interest, academic readiness, and alignment with the university's mission rather than treating admission as highly uncertain.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Virginia State University maintains moderate costs that support access for predominantly low-income students. The published cost of attendance reaches $24,173 annually, composed of $9,755 in-state tuition, $22,006 out-of-state tuition, $12,966 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays $14,553 after financial aid, representing $9,620 in aid savings from the sticker price. This net price falls $460 below the peer median of $14,093, positioning Virginia State University as slightly more affordable than similar institutions.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for students across all income levels, with particularly strong support for lower-income families. Net prices range from $12,432 for families earning under $30,000 to $22,390 for those earning over $110,000, creating a progressive pricing structure that aligns with family financial capacity.
The $9,958 difference between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates meaningful aid targeting toward students with the greatest financial need, supporting the university's access mission.
Virginia State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their post-graduation trajectory. Median earnings rise from $33,630 six years after enrollment to $39,572 at eight years and $45,543 at ten years, representing 35.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,104 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. The institution generates $7,337 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 80.5th percentile nationally for this uplift measure.
This performance reflects Virginia State University's effectiveness in supporting student success relative to incoming demographics and program mix. Low-income graduates earn $35,600, demonstrating meaningful economic outcomes for the university's predominantly Pell-eligible population.
Earnings span from $27,137 at the 25th percentile to $65,094 at the 75th percentile, with the variation largely reflecting program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 22.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Tennessee-Chattanooga Similar quality tier in Southeast (#297 ranked) | TN | 77% | $51,151 | #297 | Compare |
Wichita State University Similar quality tier (#294 ranked) | KS | 95% | $51,532 | #294 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Humacao Similar quality tier (#298 ranked) | PR | 58% | $29,521 | #298 | Compare |
Eastern Washington University Similar quality tier (#292 ranked) | WA | 92% | $57,897 | #292 | Compare |
Suny Buffalo State University Similar quality tier (#291 ranked) | NY | 76% | $52,334 | #291 | Compare |
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician.
31 graduates
General Studies.
23 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
21 graduates
Consumer Economics.
24 graduates
Psychology, General.
61 graduates
Virginia State University offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology ranks #23 nationally and #1 in Virginia, producing 31 graduates with median earnings of $64,437 and graduating 6.9% of the student body.
Consumer Economics ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 24 students with median earnings of $44,000. Psychology, General ranks #148 nationally and #9 in Virginia, with 61 graduates earning $42,978, representing 13.5% of total graduates.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #64 nationally and #4 in Virginia, graduating 51 students with median earnings of $38,159. Corrections Administration graduates 67 students annually with median earnings of $39,377, making it the largest program by enrollment at 14.8% of graduates.
Communication and Media Studies produces 59 graduates earning $39,191, reflecting strong student demand across diverse academic fields.
