Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution that was founded in 1838. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,951, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 144 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Virginia Commonwealth University's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 167. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,002 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,861 (2013-14).

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school in Richmond. Cheering on the school’s Division I sports teams, the VCU Rams, is a popular outlet for students. There are also a variety of clubs and organizations students can join, as well as more than 30 fraternities and sororities. About five percent of VCU students are involved in Greek life. For off-campus recreation, students can take advantage of the school’s Outdoor Adventure Program, which coordinates kayaking, backpacking, and whitewater rafting trips, among other activities. VCU has a variety of academic departments for graduate students, too, including a well-regarded School of Education, a School of Medicine, a School of Business, and a School of Engineering. The university also has a campus in Qatar that focuses on arts programs.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):
Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the nation's top research universities, VCU enrolls more than 31,00 students pursue 223 degree and certificate programs through VCU's 13 schools and one college.

The VCU Medical Center, including the university's health sicences schools, offers state-of-the-art care in more than 200 speciality areas and serves as the regions's only Level 1 Trauma Center.

As the premier urban, public research university in Virginia, VCU's mission is to advance knowledge and student success through its commitments to:

an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting;

research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve human health;

interdisciplinary collaborations that bring new perspectives to complex problems and mobilize creative energies that advance innovation and solve global challenges;

health care that strives to preserve and restore health for all people, to seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research, and to educate those who serve humanity;

diversity that provides a climate of inclusion, a dedication to addressing disparities wherever they exist, and an opportunity to explore and create in an environment of trust;
sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of the communities VCU serves in Virginia and around the world.

Vision statement
VCU will be a premier urban, public research university distinguished by its commitment to:

the intellectual and academic success of a diverse student body;

research and discovery that advances knowledge, inspires creativity and improves human health;

the global engagement of students, faculty and staff that transforms lives and communities.

Core values
Accountability committing to the efficient and transparent stewardship of our resources to achieve institutional excellence.

Achievement ensuring distinction in learning, research and scholarly pursuits, service and patient care.

Collaboration fostering collegiality and cooperation to advance learning, entrepreneurship and inquiry.

Freedom striving for intellectual truth with responsibility and civility, respecting the dignity of all individuals.

Innovation cultivating discovery, creativity, originality, inventiveness and talent.

Service engaging in the application of learning and discovery to improve the human condition and support the public good at home and abroad.

Diversity ensuring a climate of trust, honesty and integrity where all people are valued and differences are recognized as an asset.

Integrity adhering to the highest standards of honesty, respect and professional and scholarly ethics.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System is an urban, comprehensive academic medical center in central Virginia established to preserve and restore health for all people, to seek the cause and cure of diseases through innovative research, and to educate those who serve humanity.

General Information

School type	public, coed college
Year founded	1838
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	urban
2012 Endowment	$438,139,742

Applying
When applying to Virginia Commonwealth University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 1. The application fee at Virginia Commonwealth University is $50. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 60.2 percent.
 

Selectivity	selective
Fall 2012 acceptance rate	60.2%
Application deadline	January 15
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	February 1

Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Virginia Commonwealth University is 18:1, and the school has 36.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Virginia Commonwealth University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Visual and Performing Arts; Health Professions and Related Programs; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services; and Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85.3 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	18:1
4-year graduation rate	30%
Five most popular majors for 2012 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 14% Visual and Performing Arts 13% Health Professions and Related Programs 8% Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services 8% Psychology 8%

Student Life
Virginia Commonwealth University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,951, with a gender distribution of 43.7 percent male students and 56.3 percent female students. At this school, 22 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 78 percent of students live off campus. Virginia Commonwealth University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment	31,752
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

Campus Info & Services
Virginia Commonwealth University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, day care, and health service. Virginia Commonwealth University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Students who have cars on campus	N/A
Health insurance offered	No

Paying for School
At Virginia Commonwealth University, 56.4 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $6,210.
 

In-state tuition and fees	$12,002 (2013-14)
Out-of-state tuition and fees	$28,861 (2013-14)
Room and board	$10,430 (2013-14)