At the da Vinci Center’s Shift Retail Lab, students and alumni are testing products, services and ideas with real-world customers. The first-of-its-kind storefront was recognized as a World Changing Idea by Fast Company.
Take our groundbreaking research, top-ranked arts programs, and world-class VCU Health System and what do you get? A place where patients from across Virginia and the nation come for care, and where students of all disciplines can solve some of the toughest problems in previously unthinkable ways.
NASA and VCU’s Rice Rivers Center deliver an immersive summer experience for undergraduates.
My first solo article was featured in the Washington Post. I was like, ‘This is amazing.’ I felt like I was making a change.
Tarazha Jenkins B.A. in Political Science and B.S. in Mass Communications Class of 2023
A Place for Everyone
Unwavering sense of community
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.
This is us.
And this is how we describe VCU.
“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
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
“UNDERSTANDING. Because I feel like they
really care about their students and their community.– Angela Guiterrez, health, physical education and exercise science major
“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
“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
WE’RE 28,831 STUDENTS STRONG
MORE THAN50% OF STUDENTS ARE FROM MINORITY BACKGROUNDS
37% OF FALL 2024 FRESHMEN WEREFIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
In the Heart of Richmond
An Unbeatable location
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 powerhouse
No. 11 of U.S. cities with the hottest job markets
One of the best U.S. cities for creatives
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.
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.
Support at Every Turn
Unrivaled advocacy
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.
In THEIR words
Hear from students who’ve found support through VCU's Men of Color Initiative in this short documentary, created by students to honor program founder Carlton Goode, Ed.D.
VCU provides holistic support to students, and we know how much finances matter. From FY 2020 to FY 2024:
86% Increase in scholarship funding for students
26% Increase in grant funding
6% Decrease in student loan borrowing
THRIVE personally and academically
VCU cultivates an empowering environment that prioritizes student well-being, support systems and a sense of community.
FREE financial 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.
We’ve got your back
Programs to help you navigate college life
Featured resources and additional support services at VCU.
TRiO
Provides additional support services to first-generation college students, students who are low-income and students with disabilities. READ MORE
Military Student Services
Works with veterans, active service members, spouses and dependents to ease the transition from military life to academics. READ MORE
YouFirst at VCU
Provides mentorship, resources and events to first-generation college students and connects them with other first-gen students and faculty. READ MORE
Career Ready Grads
Unstoppable alums
A VCU education will set you apart,
whether your future takes you to graduate school, a rewarding career or starting your own business. Get ready to blaze new trails and uplift your community.
VCU REAL
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.
Marilyn Tavenner President/CEO, America’s Health Insurance Plans
Tyler Fauntleroy Actor
David Baldacci Author
Boris Kodjoe Actor
Donwan Harrell Fashion designer
Mo Alie-Cox Indianapolis Colts player
Matthew Ramsey Country musician
Tony Cokes Artist and MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient
Sesha Joi Moon Chief Diversity Officer, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th & 118th Congresses
Aaron Gilchrest NBC News White House correspondent
Camille Schrier Pharmacist, STEM advocate and Miss America 2020
I ended up working as an office assistant in VCU College of Engineering’s Career Services, and was able to get an inside view of how job postings, mock interviews, résumé reviews, career fairs, post-career fair interviews and other events worked. It has proven to be a great help to this day.
Jalen Harrison B.S. in Information Systems Class of 2023
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
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