Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Virginia Union University #1030 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,265 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Virginia Union University in the 74.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #341 for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Virginia Union University's composite ranking reflects its balance of access and outcomes among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,265 more than similar students at comparable institutions, with particularly strong performance in serving students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #1030 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 30.9 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Richmond, VA, Virginia Union University enrolls roughly 1,203 undergraduates. Retention is 66.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 34.2%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student completion. Virginia Union University serves a student population with significant financial need and first-generation representation. 68.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.8% are first-generation college students. The institution's strength lies in mobility and access outcomes. Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #1171 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 20.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,840, placing Virginia Union University in the 11.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,265 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Virginia Union University in the 74.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's academic portfolio centers on Social Sciences, which shapes both the student experience and post-graduation outcomes. For students seeking a historically Black college with strong support for low-income and first-generation learners, combined with solid long-term earnings outcomes, Virginia Union University offers a distinctive value proposition grounded in access, completion, and economic mobility.
Published cost of attendance is $29,075. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $11,424, middle-income families pay around $14,420, higher-income families pay approximately $18,301. Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #641 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 55.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,153. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,840, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $328 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Virginia Union University is a strong fit for students seeking a private nonprofit institution in Richmond, VA with a focus on the social sciences. Graduates earn about $4,265 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 74.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a significant population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 68.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.8% are first-generation. This access profile makes Virginia Union University particularly compelling for students from lower-income backgrounds seeking a supportive environment. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 98.0% admit rate reflects selective admissions, and the program mix leans heavily toward Social Sciences fields (16% of degrees). Students whose interests align with these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
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 Union University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $29,075. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $11,424, middle-income families pay around $14,420, higher-income families pay approximately $18,301.
Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #641 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 55.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,153.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,840, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $328 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of Virginia Union University earn median 4-year earnings of $50,840, placing Virginia Union University in the 11.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,265 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 74.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Virginia Union University #1171 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Criminology reports 23 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $49,024. Biology, General reports 18 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $40,032.
Social Work reports 16 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $38,872. Psychology, General reports 12 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $50,826.
General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other
6 graduates
Psychology, General
12 graduates
Criminology
23 graduates
Communication and Media Studies, Other
11 graduates
Biology, General
18 graduates
Virginia Union University's program mix is anchored in social sciences and business fields, reflecting the institution's liberal arts and professional education identity. Criminology is the largest program with 23 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Biology, General, Social Work, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 129 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in business and professional fields.
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations leads with median earnings of $64,924 four years after enrollment across 6 graduates, followed by Psychology, General with $50,826 and Criminology with $49,024. Communication and Media Studies and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs, each delivering competitive four-year outcomes.
The concentration of strength in Social Sciences (representing 16% of graduates) and Business (representing 16% of graduates) reflects Virginia Union University's positioning as a professional and applied-education institution. Virginia Union University's program portfolio emphasizes fields with direct workforce entry and stable regional demand.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with labor-market conditions in the Richmond area and beyond. For prospective students, the earnings variation across programs underscores the importance of major selection in shaping four-year financial outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiffin University Similar quality tier (#29360 ranked) | OH | 80% | $35,942 | #29360 | Compare |
Lycoming College Similar quality tier (#29357 ranked) | PA | 74% | $56,210 | #29357 | Compare |
Queens University Of Charlotte Similar quality tier in Southeast (#29362 ranked) | NC | 62% | $57,673 | #29362 | Compare |
Moody Bible Institute Similar quality tier (#29363 ranked) | IL | 83% | $45,399 | #29363 | Compare |
Roberts Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#29364 ranked) | NY | 71% | $55,031 | #29364 | Compare |
