Virginia Union University
#2 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,275 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,235 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 22.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Online Computer Science Programs in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,128,148.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 39% — 31% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Virginia Union University Matters
Virginia Union University is a private liberal arts college in Richmond, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,203
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU · 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Virginia Union University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 850–885. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,235 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,275 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $29,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.30 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Virginia Union University is a great fit for students seeking a supportive environment where they can dive into fields like Business and Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 98%, it's accessible for many who are ready to further their education. The relatively small enrollment of 1,203 allows for a close-knit community, making it easier for students to connect with peers and faculty alike.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $38,275 within a decade. While the graduation rate sits at 39%, many find pathways to success in their chosen fields. The affordability of Virginia Union is notable, especially with a net price of $13,235 after aid. This means that students can focus on their studies without the overwhelming burden of debt, which is critical as they transition into their careers.
Speaking of debt, the median debt for graduates is $29,000. This number is significant, yet for many, it’s manageable given the earning potential. Students who thrive here often are those who take advantage of the university's supportive atmosphere and diverse academic offerings. With a strong community and ample resources, Virginia Union University helps students prepare for a successful future.
Rankings
- #2 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Virginia
- #2 Best Online Business Programs in Virginia
- #2 Best Online Nursing Programs in Virginia
- #2 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Physical Sciences
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Environmental Science
- #12 Most Affordable Online Master's in Physical Sciences
- #12 Most Affordable Online Master's in Environmental Science
Can I Get In?
How selective Virginia Union University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Union University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Union University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 850. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- SAT Average
- 850
- ACT Midpoint
- 16
- SAT Range
- 850–885
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,874
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 4,386
- Admitted
- 3,533
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Union University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Union University is $17,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,235. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,424 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $17,450
- Out-of-State
- $17,450
- Avg Net Price
- $13,235
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 69%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 71%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,424
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,372
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,420
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,301
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Virginia Union University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Union University report median earnings of $38,275, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,977
- 8 Years
- $35,235
- 10 Years
- $38,275
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.76x
- Earning > $25K
- 43%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (90)
- 21%
- 100% (90)
- 21%
- 100% (90)
- 21%
- 100% (90)
- 21%
How Virginia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Virginia Union University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Virginia Union University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,235/year ($52,940 total). Graduates earn $38,275 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,181,088 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,128,148 (22.3× your investment). The median debt is $29,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,940
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,181,088
- Net Return
- $1,128,148
- ROI Multiple
- 22.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,235
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,851,500
Top Programs
The fields Virginia Union University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Social Sciences 14%
- Psychology 11%
- Communications 10%
- Computer Science & IT 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Education 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Virginia Union University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Union University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Union University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 850. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Union University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Union University is $17,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,235. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,424 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
Is Virginia Union University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Union University report median earnings of $38,275, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Virginia Union University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Union University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Virginia Union University.
- Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, WV · Close peer36% grad $38,217 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX · Close peer29% grad $41,871 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- The University of Tennessee SouthernPulaski, TN · Close peer36% grad $38,924 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer28% grad $34,782 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Shorter UniversityRome, GA · Close peer37% grad $44,604 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Virginia Union University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Union University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note