Virginia State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Virginia State University is a public historically Black college with an acceptance rate of 91%. Located in Ettrick, Virginia just outside Petersburg, the 236-acre main Virginia State campus overlooks the Appomattox River. The university also has a 416-acre agricultural research area, Randolph Farm, two miles from campus. Undergraduates can choose from 31 bachelor's degree programs from a range of liberal arts and professional fields. On the athletic front, the Virginia State University Trojans compete in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

Considering applying to Virginia State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Virginia State University had an acceptance rate of 91%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 91 students were admitted, making VSU's admissions process less competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Virginia State University is test-optional for applicants who meet the school's minimum criteria. Students with a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (in grades 9 through 11) and who demonstrate evidence of strong academic performance by earning grades of B or better in challenging coursework may apply test-optional. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 78% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of VSU's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Virginia State scored between 430 and 510, while 25% scored below 430 and 25% scored above 510. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 410 and 500, while 25% scored below 410 and 25% scored above 500. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1010 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at VSU.

Requirements

Virginia State does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Virginia State University does not require the optional SAT writing section. Note that VSU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

Students who wish to be considered for VSU's Presidential, Provost, and Presidential STEM scholarships will be required to submit standardized test scores.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Virginia State University is test-optional for applicants who meet the school's minimum criteria. Students with a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (in grades 9 through 11) and who demonstrate evidence of strong academic performance by earning grades of B or better in challenging coursework may apply test-optional. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle 14% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Virginia State's admitted students fall within the bottom 20% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to VSU received a composite ACT score between 15 and 21, while 25% scored above 21 and 25% scored below 15.

Requirements

Note that Virginia State does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, VSU participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Virginia State does not require the ACT writing section.

Students who wish to be considered for VSU's Presidential, Provost, and Presidential STEM scholarships will be required to submit standardized test scores.

GPA

In 2018, the average high school GPA of Virginia State University's incoming freshmen class was 3.0. This data suggests that most successful applicants to VSU have primarily B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Virginia State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Virginia State University, which accepts over 90% of applicants, has a less competitive admissions process. However, VSU also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on more than numbers. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 in a rigorous high school curriculum may apply test-optional. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside VSU's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent students who were accepted to Virginia State University. Most had SAT scores (ERW+M) of 800 or higher, an ACT composite of 14 or higher, and a high school average of a "C" or higher. Grades and test scores above these lower ranges will improve your chances, and you can see that a significant percentage of admitted students had grades in the "A" and "B" ranges.

If You Like Virginia State University, You May Also Like These Schools

• Old Dominion University
• James Madison University
• Spelman College
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Virginia State University Undergraduate Admissions Office.