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Virginia State University

Petersburg, United States Founded 1882

Overview

English Name: Virginia State University
Acronyms: VSU
Founded: 1882
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Motto: Dream, Explore, Succeed
Colours: Blue and orange
Virginia State University institutional building
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Founded in 1882, the Virginia State University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Petersburg (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Virginia.

Officially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Virginia State University (VSU) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Virginia State University (VSU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 141-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 90-99% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

VSU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Find Virginia State University on the map and reach the right office through the contact channels listed below. Use these for general enquiries; specific departments often run their own contact pages.

Address: 1 Hayden Drive
Postal Code: 23806
Map:
Phone: +1 (804) 524 5000
Fax: +1 (804) 524 6506
Social Media:

Academic Details

Virginia State University's student body, faculty composition, and recognition framework are summarised below. Use this section to gauge institutional weight before drilling into specific programmes.

Total Students: 5,074
Student Enrollment: 4
Academic Staff Range: 400-499
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) National Athletic Association (NAA) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Academic Structures

Virginia State University's constituent schools and faculties. Continuing education or professional development units are typically separate from full-time degree-granting units.

Unit 5 items
  • School of Agriculture
  • School of Business
  • School of Engineering, Science and Technology
  • School of Graduate Studies, Research and Outreach
  • School of Liberal Arts and Education

Programs Offered

The programme finder below covers every degree Virginia State University currently offers. Programme codes here often map to international classification systems used for credential recognition abroad.

Bachelor's Degree

35 programmes

At undergraduate level, Virginia State University offers 35 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.

Social Work Social Work
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Psychology, General Psychology
Chemistry Chemistry
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Mathematics Mathematics
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
History History
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Hospitality Administration/Management Hospitality Management
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Music Music
Visual and Performing Arts, General Visual Arts
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Agriculture, General Agriculture
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering General Engineering
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies Family & Consumer Science
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies

Master's Degree

18 programmes

Explore 18 programmes of postgraduate study at Virginia State University. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Psychology, General Psychology
Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education Education & Teaching
Social Work Social Work
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Mathematics Mathematics
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Education, General Education & Teaching
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching

Doctorate

2 programmes

Browse 2 programmes of research-degree study at Virginia State University. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.

Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

12 programmes

These 12 programmes cover Virginia State University's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
International Agriculture Agriculture
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science

How to apply to Virginia State University

Practical steps to apply to Virginia State University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Use the programme finder to browse Virginia State University's 67 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Programme-level requirements at Virginia State University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Virginia State University processes applications through www.vsu.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (804) 524 5000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Virginia State University

A short Q&A covering Virginia State University's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.

When did Virginia State University open?

Virginia State University traces its founding to 1882 (approximately 144 years ago).

In which city is Virginia State University?

Virginia State University is based in Petersburg, United States.

What is Virginia State University's control type?

It is a public higher-education institution.

How many students study at Virginia State University?

Virginia State University has approximately 4,000-4,999 students.

How many faculties does Virginia State University have?

Virginia State University is organised into 5 academic units across its disciplines.

Who recognises Virginia State University?

Yes, Virginia State University is recognised by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

What is Virginia State University's official website?

Virginia State University's official website is www.vsu.edu.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Research output among the United States's top universities sets the publication-and-citation upper bound. Comparing Virginia State University's research output to this benchmark gives a fair institutional read.

Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Joint research grants among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) members create funded collaborations that often extend to graduate-student opportunities. The network listed below collaborates regularly with Virginia State University.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Industry placements and co-op programmes around Virginia State University draw on the same regional employer base. The nearby universities listed below often compete for similar internship slots.

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Other universities in the United States that teach Education & Teaching appear below — useful for comparing programme depth against Virginia State University. Programme structures differ even within the same country, so detailed comparison is worth the effort.

Universities Often Compared with Virginia State University

Selectivity rates (acceptance percentage) cluster around Virginia State University for the peer institutions below. Selectivity is one of the more stable signals of institutional positioning over time.

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