by our College Data Analytics TeamIs VCU worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
VCU is ranked #1,676 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Virginia, it ranks #33 of 81 for value.
Among the majors VCU offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art & Artisanry | #1 of 1 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | #1 of 1 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #1 of 1 |
| Other Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services | #6 of 12 |
| Other Homeland Security | #6 of 12 |
| Homeland Security / Public Safety | #6 of 12 |
| Bioinformatics | #8 of 15 |
| Biomathematics & Bioinformatics | #9 of 18 |
| Biology | #9 of 18 |
| Area Studies, Other | #9 of 17 |
Below is the detailed VCU value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Virginia Commonwealth University is ranked #10 out of #92 in Virginia for quality and #33 out of #81 for Virginia value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the VCU financial aid page to be sure.
Virginia Commonwealth University is ranked #1,676 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Virginia Commonwealth University is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at VCU costs about $27,973. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $111,892 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $39,088 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $23,433 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $27,973 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $111,892 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the VCU net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What VCU costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a VCU degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $156,352 | — | — |
| All Students | $111,892 | #1,676 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $93,732 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $156,352 | — | — |
| All Students | $111,892 | #33 | D |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $93,732 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at VCU shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $12,830 |
| $30K–$48K | $13,612 |
| $48K–$75K | $16,455 |
| $75K–$110K | $20,633 |
| Over $110K | $28,474 |
About 71% of VCU undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $13,626 per year. Get more details on the VCU financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the VCU net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.