Virginia Commonwealth University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at VCU was $12,850 a year for in-state students and $34,744 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 34,744 per year for tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University meets 49.71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University is around $15,645 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $31,085 in student loans per borrower.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,850 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered Virginia-residents, out-of-state tuition is $34,744 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Virginia Commonwealth University International Student Tuition

Virginia Commonwealth University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Virginia Commonwealth University usually pay around $34,744 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Virginia Commonwealth University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Virginia Commonwealth University:

•Virginia Commonwealth University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Virginia Commonwealth University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Virginia Commonwealth University.

House and Food Costs at Virginia Commonwealth University

Room and board at Virginia Commonwealth University costs $12,689 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Virginia Commonwealth University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Virginia Commonwealth University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is usually pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Virginia Commonwealth University campus is located in a city in Virginia.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Virginia Commonwealth University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Virginia Commonwealth University.

How Much Does Virginia Commonwealth University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Virginia Commonwealth University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$12,850
Out-of-State Tuition	$34,744
Room and Board	$12,689
Other expenses	$3,730

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Virginia Commonwealth University Financial Aid

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The majority of Virginia Commonwealth University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 11,065 of the 20,958 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Virginia Commonwealth University meets 49.71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,645 a year. Around 60.76% of Virginia Commonwealth University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $31,085 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,958
Virginia Commonwealth University-Specific Loans	$5,094
Private Loans	$36,457

Most Common Loans for Virginia Commonwealth University Students
Federal Loans	58.46%
Institutional Loans	0.13%
Private loans	17%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Virginia Commonwealth University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Virginia Commonwealth University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Virginia Commonwealth University awarded 9,897 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $115.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $19.52 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Virginia Commonwealth University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Virginia Commonwealth University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Virginia Commonwealth University was $15,645 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Virginia Commonwealth University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$2,602
Net In-state, Off-campus	$1,828
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$40,141

What will attending Virginia Commonwealth University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Virginia Commonwealth University's net cost calculator on their website.

Virginia Commonwealth University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

VCU Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Virginia Commonwealth University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Virginia Commonwealth University's endowment was valued at $185.4 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Virginia Commonwealth University spends about $13,182 a year.

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Learn More About Virginia Commonwealth University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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