Virginia State University
Virginia State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Virginia State University at a Glance
Virginia State University is a public historically Black land-grant university in Ettrick, Virginia, United States. Founded on March 6, 1882 , Virginia State developed as the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans. The university is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
1882
144 years old
$106M
$105.6 million (2025)
5,701
300
236 acres
Identity
Is Virginia State University Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Virginia State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,543 — 15% below average — while paying $15,840/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,500 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Virginia State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Virginia State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #105 of 145 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #105 | Virginia State University | 29 | $15,840 | $45,543 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Virginia State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in VA.
Best Programs at Virginia State University
The highest-earning program at Virginia State University is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $37,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from Virginia State University earns $37,400, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate earns $21,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates carry $29,125 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,840/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,400 | $37,400 | $29,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,600 | $34,600 | $29,000 |
| Social Work | $30,800 | $30,800 | $30,152 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,600 | $28,600 | $30,950 |
| Biology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $31,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,800 | $23,800 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $21,500 | $21,500 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Petersburg, VA
- Student Body
- 5,074 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,840
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,543
- Median Student Debt
- $26,500