2024 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$19,656
Net Price
93%
Admitted
25%
Enrolled
67%
Graduation Rate
18/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Virginia Commonwealth University
is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 28,594. In 2021, there were 916 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #9 in Virginia and ranks #385 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
916
Total Enrollment
28,594
Type
Public, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Ranking for Virginia Commonwealth University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Virginia Rank
Combining ranking factors for 40 schools that offer psychology degrees in Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University ranks #9.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Virginia Commonwealth University ranks #385.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Virginia Commonwealth University offers General Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers General Psychology and Social Work. At the doctorate level Clinical Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology, General Psychology, Medical Psychology and Social Work are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Clinical Psychology | – | – | 12 |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | – | 18 |
| Counseling Psychology | – | – | 3 |
| General Psychology | 553 | 14 | 6 |
| Medical Psychology | – | – | 3 |
| Social Work | 107 | 194 | 6 |
| Total Graduates | 660 | 208 | 48 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 17,579 students applied to the Virginia Commonwealth University. The university admitted 93% and 25% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Virginia universities is 9,148. On average, all Virginia institutions admit 75% and 20% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Virginia Commonwealth University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 84%. Compared to all Virginia four or more years colleges, the percentage is 76%.
The overall graduation rate for Virginia Commonwealth University is 67%, compared to 60% for all Virginia universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 28%.
Compare VCU to Virginia Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Virginia Commonwealth University to the average of all Virginia four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
VCU
17,579
Applicants
93%
Percent Admitted
25%
Percent Enrolled
84%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
67%
Graduation Rate
VA Colleges
9,148
Applicants
75%
Percent Admitted
20%
Percent Enrolled
76%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
60%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 2,424 or 73% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 879 or 27% part-time faculty members employed at Virginia Commonwealth University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 2,155 or 65%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
VCU
18 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
73%
Percent Full-Time
27%
Percent Part-Time
65%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
VA Colleges
13 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
62%
Percent Full-Time
38%
Percent Part-Time
60%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Virginia Commonwealth University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $12,094, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,240.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $12,618 and the average cost for graduate fees is $2,900.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Virginia Commonwealth University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $12,279 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $5,270 |
| Total Living Expenses | $17,549 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $12,094 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,240 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $30,883 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $12,618 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $2,900 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $15,518 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $19,656. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Virginia Commonwealth University presented by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| $0 – $30,000 | $14,507 | $13,601 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $15,891 | $14,349 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $18,553 | $16,689 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $23,030 | $21,818 |
| $110,001 and more | $27,769 | $26,416 |
Compare Virginia Commonwealth University to all Virginia universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
VCU
$30,883
Cost to Attend
$11,909
Average Financial Aid
85%
Percent Receiving Aid
$19,656
Net Price
VA Colleges
$39,837
Cost to Attend
$18,288
Average Financial Aid
89%
Percent Receiving Aid
$21,389
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 3,152 or 85%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 14,624 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $11,909.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 14,624 | $11,909 |
| Pell Grants | 6,519 | $4,806 |
| Federal Student Loans | 9,756 | $6,560 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Virginia Commonwealth University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
VCU
14,624
Grant or Scholarship Aid
47%
Grants or Scholarships
6,519
Number of Pell Grants
21%
Pell Grants
9,756
Federal Student Loans
32%
Federal Student Loans
VA Colleges
4,309
Grant or Scholarship Aid
47%
Grants or Scholarships
2,066
Number of Pell Grants
22%
Pell Grants
2,863
Federal Student Loans
31%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Virginia.
