VCU offers GUARANTEED UNIVERSITY ADMISSION to first-year applicants who have a GPA of 3.5 or above.

That means an admissions process without the stress and uncertainty that comes with the typical college selection process.

Learn how it works

It adds up

From FY2020 to FY2024, VCU provided the most student scholarships and grants among 4-year public universities in Virginia.

$1 billion

Innovative thinkers wanted

Innovative Thinkers Wanted

An uncommon academic experience

An UNCOMMON learning experience
Two students wearing blue lab coats as they work in a VCU laboratory


One of 84 public R1 universities with the Carnegie Classification’s community engagement designation

R1 Carnegie Classification badge

A top 50 public research institution

National Science Foundation badge

Ranked in top 20% of universities worldwide

U.S. News - Best Global Universities badge 2024-25

This is where it gets REAL

VCU student working with laboratory equipment

We know that hands-on learning leads to job offers and opportunities — in a survey of May 2024 graduates, 28% of them told us it happened to them. That’s why we now require an experiential learning opportunity for every undergraduate.

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A Place for Everyone

inclusive_community

Unwavering sense of community

Unwavering sense of community.
Four female VCU students standing arm-in-arm in from of Cabell Library
VCU student
VCU student

VCU is a mix of styles, stories and attitude. Our students come from different places, backgrounds and lived experiences – and they’re all embraced for who they are and the perspective they bring.

Three VCU students
Two VCU students

This is us.

And this is how we describe VCU.

Three VCU students jumping in the air
VCU student
VCU student
Two VCU students wearing camouflage uniforms
Joseph Howell

UNCONVENTIONAL. VCU has a very interesting way of accepting new people and just allowing everybody to be open and honest and have a cool meeting ground.– Joseph Howell, history major

Male VCU student
Male VCU student
Ashanti Howard

UNLIMITED. Because it’s never limited to just one activity or one subject or one way of thinking. You’re always exposed to different points of view and things to do.” – Ashanti Howard, pre-nursing major

VCU student with pom-poms
Two VCU students
Student with violin
VCU student
Angela Guiterrez

UNDERSTANDING. Because I feel like they really care about their students and their community. – Angela Guiterrez, health, physical education and exercise science major

Two VCU students
VCU student
Corinne Rapp

UNTRADITIONAL. Because we’re seeing a lot of other people like us who are not traditional students, who are adult learners and transfer students like us.” – Corinne Rapp, interdisciplinary studies major

Two VCU students
VCU student
Two VCU students
Two VCU students
Steph Cull

UNEXPECTED. There’s people from every walk of life, every creed, every nationality, every age. It’s definitely not what you expect from a four-year university – in all the best ways.” – Steph Cull, health psychology Ph.D. student

VCU students

In the Heart of Richmond

In the heart of Richmond

An Unbeatable location

An UNbeatable location
Aerial phtograph of Richmond, Virginia skyline and the James River
  • From campus,
    it’s a
  • 5-minute bike ride to the river
  • 2-hour drive to D.C.
  • There’s so much to do in Richmond and beyond…
  • 2-hour drive to the Mountains
  • 2-hour drive to the beach
  • Getting there 
    IS EASY.

Where you go to college matters

VCU is at the center of a vibrant community of 1.3 million people that is a top destination for creative thinkers and entrepreneurs, foodies and artists, and nonprofit and government leaders. Did you know? Richmond is:

  • a culinary powerhouseFood and Wine logo
  •  No. 11 of U.S. cities with the hottest job marketsWall Street Journal logo
  • One of the best U.S. cities for creativesThrillist logo

Leading the pack

With the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies of any urban area in Virginia, Richmond is a great place to work. Here are some well-known companies where our students have found employment.

  • Altria logo
  • ARKO logo
  • Carmax logo
  • Dominion Energy logo
  • Genworth logo
  • Markel logo
  • Owens Minor logo
  • PFG logo
  • CoStar logo
  • Amazon logo
  • Capital One logo
  • Martin Agency logo
Where-you-go-to-college-matters

Support at Every Turn

Support at every turn

Unrivaled advocacy

UNrivaled advocacy
Female VCU student stading by the Rams Horns sculpture outside the The Commons.

Whether you need help mapping out your path, feedback on your latest paper, guidance on paying for college, or learning accommodations, we’re here to help every step of the way. It’s why our graduates go on to be game changers.

We’ve got your back

Programs to help you navigate college life

Featured resources and additional support services at VCU.

TimelyCare

Students have free, 24/7 access to mental health crisis support on this well-being platform as well as 12 telehealth counseling sessions per year — and more.
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Student holding a skateboard and smiling at the camera

Personalized academic advising

Every undergrad works with an advisor who helps them navigate college and graduate on time, on their schedule.

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Students standing with posters with

YouFirst at VCU

Provides mentorship, resources and events to first-generation college students and connects them with other first-gen students and faculty. 
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VCU student wearing glasses and looking directly at the camera

Career Services

Offers job and internship listings, career advising appointments, free headshots and even free gently used professional clothing and styling services.

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Student talking with career services advisor

Office of Student Advocacy

If a student isn’t sure where to turn for help, this is a one-stop shop that serves as a gateway to all VCU resources and services.
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Two students walking on campus

Financial resources and guidance

At VCU, every student has access to financial counselors who can work with you to help you navigate paying for college and coordinate with your academic advisor to help keep you on track.
READ MORE

Student reviewing financial services information on their phone

Career Ready Grads

Career-ready grads

Unstoppable alums

UNstoppable alums
Photo of students at the VCU Commencement ceremony

A few notable Rams

Tyler Fauntleroy
Actor
’17, B.F.A. in Theatre

Tyler Fauntleroy

Camille Schrier
Pharmacist, STEM advocate and Miss America 2020
’24, Pharm.D.

Camille Schrier.

Aaron Gilchrest
NBC News White House correspondent
’03, B.S. in Mass Communications

Aaron Gilchrest.

David Baldacci
Author
’83, B.A. in Political Science

David Baldacci

In a survey of May 2024 graduates

  • 79% reported they were employed, continuing their education or seeking to continue it within six months of graduation
  • 90% of those employed said their job was related to their career goals
  • 24% were offered a full-time job as a result of their internship or other co-curricular experience

Read more

There’s no one like you, and no place like VCU. Experience a world UNLIKE any other.

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