Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia
Virginia State University is a public institution in Petersburg, Virginia with 4,787 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $9,755 compared with a Virginia nursing-school average of $16,659. The school reports a graduation rate of 40.7%, median earnings of $45,543, and median federal debt of $26,500.
$9,755 is lower than the state average of $16,659.
40.7% is lower than the state average of 53.1%.
$45,543 is higher than the state average of $44,666.
About Virginia State University
| Location | Petersburg, Virginia |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.vsu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $9,755 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,006 |
| Total Enrollment | 4,787 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89.1% |
| Graduation Rate | 40.7% |
| Retention Rate | 71.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $45,543 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $280 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 71.0% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 75.7% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.6 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
71.0% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 75.7% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is common in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Virginia State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $39,020, while the reported median debt is $26,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $280. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Black students (92.9%), followed by White students (2.6%) and Asian students (0.3%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($45,543) divided by median debt ($26,500)