Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia · Public · 88.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 21/100 · Poor Value
Virginia State University scores 21 in the Poor Value tier - a poor outcome for the historic HBCU in Petersburg. The headline weaknesses are concentrated on the back end: a 38.2% three-year repayment rate (sub-score 3, near the absolute bottom of the dataset), a 0.914 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 8), and a 39.4% completion rate (sub-score 20). In-state tuition is $10,043 (out-of-state $22,650), net price is $15,840, and total four-year cost is about $63,360. Median earnings six years after entry are just $29,000, climbing to $45,543 by year ten, producing a 16.6% earnings premium (sub-score 32) and a 19.3-year payback period. Median debt is $26,500. The 38% repayment rate is the loudest signal in the file: graduates are defaulting, deferring, or unable to service their debt at rates that should be a red flag for prospective students. The Pell rate of 72.1% confirms VSU serves a very high-need population, and the data show the school's mission is genuinely serving that population, but the financial outcomes for individual students are weak.
The data raises concerns about Virginia State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score21/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate39.4% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period19.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Virginia State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,043/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,650/yr |
| Average net price | $15,840/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $63,360 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,543 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $29,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $281 |
| Estimated payback period | 19.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,074 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Virginia State University is $10,043/year ($22,650/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,840/year, or roughly $63,360 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,220/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,508/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $281 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,543 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.91 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,220 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,758 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,463 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,223 |
| $110,001+ | $25,508 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $13,220 net per year (about $52,880 over four years). With 72% Pell enrollment, this is the modal family. Pell plus state aid covers much of this for the lowest band, making the school accessible in cash terms even when the earnings outcome is weak.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-110,000) face sharp cost increases: $19,463 to $22,223 per year. Four-year cost runs $78,000-$89,000. This is where the VSU value proposition gets hardest to defend - against Virginia regional alternatives at similar or lower prices with better completion rates, the trade-off is essentially cultural and community fit versus financial outcomes.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $25,508 per year ($102,032 over four years), the highest bracket. These families are a small slice given the 72% Pell rate, and at this price they are typically comparing VSU to private alternatives or other Virginia publics.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Virginia State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $37,861 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,624 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,764 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,896 | F |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $48,362 | F |
| Biology | $53,398 | D |
| International Relations | $44,002 | C |
| Marketing | $53,709 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $80,902 | B |
| Social Work | $49,615 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest program at 76 graduates with $28,513 first-year and $37,861 four-year earnings. Debt is $27,000 and debt-to-earnings is 0.947 for a D grade. The very weak four-year earnings ceiling combined with substantial debt produces one of the worst pure-bachelor's ROI patterns in the file.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates 68 students with $34,604 first-year and $48,624 four-year earnings. Debt of $30,000 and debt-to-earnings of 0.867 yield a D grade. Federal and state law-enforcement placement helps, but the heavy debt load pressures graduate finances meaningfully.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 51 students with $30,480 first-year and $49,764 four-year earnings. Debt is $27,000 and debt-to-earnings is 0.886 for a D grade. The earnings are well below typical regional public business outcomes.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and Media Studies graduates 49 students with $23,897 first-year and $40,896 four-year earnings. Debt of $28,000 and debt-to-earnings of 1.172 yield an F grade. Among the weakest ROI patterns at the school.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Teacher Education graduates 41 students with $26,547 first-year and $48,362 four-year earnings. Debt is $30,000 and debt-to-earnings is 1.13 for an F grade. Virginia teacher salary scales should produce better numbers; the F here reflects both modest starting salaries and unusually heavy borrowing for an education credential.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 30.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 38.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 34.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 41.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 88.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 400-520 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 440-550 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 14-20 |
| Enrollment | 5,074 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 72.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,469 |
VSU admits 88.6% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 400-520 (math) and 440-550 (reading) and ACT composite mid-range of 14-20. These are some of the lowest reported standardized test scores in the dataset and reflect substantial academic preparation gaps. The combination of a 89% admit rate, 72% Pell, and 39% completion is the structural HBCU access pattern - the school takes academic risks the system did not prepare its students for, and lacks the resources to fully compensate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
VSU's peer set (William and Mary, Christopher Newport, NC Central, Albany State, UNC Pembroke) is mixed. William and Mary is an elite Virginia public and not a meaningful comp. Christopher Newport is a more selective regional Virginia public. NC Central and Albany State are the closest peer HBCUs and typically post similar weak repayment and earnings outcomes - this is a systemic HBCU pattern. UNC Pembroke is a regional access-mission public. Across the HBCU peer subset, VSU's 21 score reflects shared structural challenges, not unique program failure.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State University (this school) | 21 | $15,840 | $45,543 |
| Paine College | 24 | $16,670 | $33,338 |
| Elizabeth City State University | 23 | $6,364 | $40,026 |
| Norfolk State University | 20 | $15,282 | $44,666 |
| Fayetteville State University | 19 | $7,892 | $40,144 |
| Lincoln University | 18 | $14,977 | $43,167 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is 5,074 with a 72.1% Pell rate. This is a high-need, predominantly Black student body with strong cultural and community value as an HBCU. The school's mission case is real: providing access to college for students who might otherwise have no four-year option. The financial outcomes case is harder. VSU works for students entering its mechanical engineering tech, MIS, or accounting programs where outcomes are stronger; it works less well for students drawn to liberal arts, education, or communications, where the debt-to-earnings math is genuinely bad.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Virginia State University. With a net cost of $15,840 per year and median graduate earnings of only $45,543 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 19.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 39.4% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $26,500 against $45,543 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.