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Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Visit Website

Virginia Commonwealth University's campus is spread across the city of Richmond, with a mix of modern facilities and historic landmarks integrated into the urban environment. The student body is diverse, with a strong emphasis on arts, health sciences, and research. VCU is known for its prominent medical campus and integration with the VCU Health System. The university's athletic teams, the VCU Rams, compete in Division I sports as part of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$42,988/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

45/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$16,458/yr

Out-of-state: $39,042/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 30% of students receive Pell Grants and 42% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$12,830	$51,320	8.4x
$30K – $48K	$13,612	$54,448	7.9x
$48K – $75K	$16,455	$65,820	6.5x
$75K – $110K	$20,633	$82,532	5.2x
$110K+	$28,474	$113,896	3.8x
Sticker price (no aid)	$16,458	$65,832	6.5x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University

45 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer and Information Sciences, General Compare across schools	87	$84,338/yr	Very High	16.8x
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Compare across schools	81	$71,847/yr	High	12.1x
Information Science/Studies Compare across schools	75	$62,116/yr	Very High	12.2x
Accounting and Related Services Compare across schools	73	$56,876/yr	Very High	9.9x
Electrical Compare across schools	71	$77,938/yr	Very High	14.1x
Chemical Engineering Compare across schools	70	$79,721/yr	High	13.0x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools	69	$73,355/yr	Very High	12.3x
Business/Commerce, General Compare across schools	69	$51,669/yr	High	9.8x
Computer Engineering Compare across schools	68	$82,964/yr	Very High	11.6x
Allied Health Diagnostic Compare across schools	66	$66,750/yr	Moderate	9.7x
Dental Support Services Compare across schools	64	$72,808/yr	Moderate	10.5x
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Compare across schools	61	$67,072/yr	Moderate	9.8x
Business/Managerial Economics Compare across schools	60	$45,370/yr	Very High	11.4x
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools	58	$54,133/yr	High	10.6x
Marketing Compare across schools	54	$41,767/yr	Very High	8.4x
Criminal Justice and Corrections Compare across schools	53	$38,495/yr	Moderate	7.7x
Chemistry Compare across schools	51	$38,571/yr	High	8.6x
Security Science and Technology Compare across schools	51	$37,501/yr	High	7.8x
Mathematics Compare across schools	45	$43,784/yr	Very High	5.7x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	45	$34,677/yr	High	7.0x
Real Estate Compare across schools	44	$47,681/yr	High	6.2x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	43	$34,080/yr	Very High	7.4x
Biological and Physical Sciences Compare across schools	41	$36,709/yr	Moderate	7.7x
Physics Compare across schools	39	$39,804/yr	Very High	5.0x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	39	$35,808/yr	High	7.6x
Biology, General Compare across schools	39	$31,149/yr	High	8.4x
Urban Studies/Affairs Compare across schools	37	$33,626/yr	High	6.9x
Social Work Compare across schools	36	$34,088/yr	Moderate	6.9x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	36	$29,462/yr	High	7.2x
Sociology Compare across schools	34	$32,781/yr	High	6.1x
History Compare across schools	33	$29,794/yr	High	5.5x
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools	31	$32,038/yr	High	7.1x
Linguistic & Comparative Compare across schools	31	$30,635/yr	Very High	6.4x
Area Studies Compare across schools	30	$35,557/yr	Very High	6.8x
Music Compare across schools	29	$28,989/yr	High	5.4x
Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools	28	$25,872/yr	High	6.6x
Ethnic & Cultural Minority Compare across schools	26	$29,607/yr	Very High	6.8x
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools	25	$27,005/yr	Very High	6.1x
Anthropology Compare across schools	25	$22,732/yr	High	5.3x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	24	$21,916/yr	Moderate	4.8x
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools	20	$23,109/yr	High	5.7x
Philosophy Compare across schools	19	$26,192/yr	Very High	3.0x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools	19	$22,447/yr	Moderate	3.5x
Dance Compare across schools	16	$20,397/yr	Low	2.1x
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry Compare across schools	14	$21,237/yr	Moderate	4.0x

Compare any program at Virginia Commonwealth University with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →