Virginia State University: A Diverse Student Body?

Virginia State University (VSU) is a public, historically Black university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded in 1882, it was the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans in the United States. The student body is 91.3% Black or African American, 2.15% White, 1.38% Hispanic or Latino, 0.344% Asian, and 0.129% American Indian or Alaska Native. With a total enrollment of 4,648 students in 2022, the university has a strong history of and commitment to the education of Black Americans.

Virginia State University is a historically black college

Virginia State University (VSU) is a historically Black college. Founded in 1882, it was the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans.

VSU was established as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute through a bill sponsored by Black attorney Alfred W. Harris. In 1902, the institute's collegiate program was curtailed and it was renamed the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. The college program was restored in 1923, and in 1930, the institute was renamed the Virginia State College for Negroes. In 1946, the name was changed to Virginia State College, and in 1979, it became Virginia State University.

Located in Chesterfield County, in the Richmond Area of Virginia, VSU has a strong history of and commitment to the education of Black Americans. It is a public university with an acceptance rate of around 90%. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, Psychology, and Business.

VSU has a diverse student body, with a mix of in-state and out-of-state students, as well as international students from 12 countries. The undergraduate student population is predominantly female, with a gender ratio of around 60% women to 40% men. The university has a strong focus on serving and educating the Black community, with a high percentage of Black or African American students. While the exact number of White students is not specified, sources indicate that VSU has a small White population, with White students making up around 2-4% of the student body.

VSU has a rich history and has produced notable alumni, including civil rights activists, educators, politicians, athletes, and more. The university is committed to providing transformative educational experiences and fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere for its students.

The university has a very low racial diversity

Virginia State University (VSU) is a public, historically Black university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded in 1882, it was the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans in the United States.

While VSU has a strong history of and commitment to educating Black Americans, it has become more racially diverse over time. By the centennial year of 1982, the university was fully integrated. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 91.1% of students self-identified as Black/African American, 4.0% as White, and 4.0% as racially unreported. According to another source, in 2022, the enrolled student population was 91.3% Black or African American, 2.15% White, 1.38% Hispanic or Latino, 0.344% Asian, and 0.129% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Despite this increase in racial diversity, VSU still has a very low racial diversity overall. The university is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that primarily serves the African-American community. Students at VSU are mostly Black, with a small White population. Approximately 94% or 97% of students are racial minorities or people of color (BIPOC).

In terms of degree recipients, in 2022, the most common race/ethnicity was Black or African American (634 degrees awarded), which was 24.4 times more than the next closest race/ethnicity, White (26 degrees).

The student body is 91-97% black

Virginia State University (VSU) is a historically black college and university (HBCU) with a strong history of and commitment to the education of Black Americans. Founded in 1882, it was the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans in the United States.

The student body reflects this history and commitment, with a high percentage of Black students. According to various sources, between 91.1% and 97% of students self-identify as Black or African American. This makes up the majority of the student population, with a small percentage of White students and other racial and ethnic groups represented as well.

The university's commitment to serving the Black community is evident in its demographics, and it continues to be a leader in providing educational opportunities for Black students. As a public university located in Ettrick, Virginia, VSU has an enrollment of approximately 4,000 to 4,600 students, with a high acceptance rate of around 89-90%.

The racial breakdown of the student body is an important aspect of the university's character and mission. The high percentage of Black students, ranging from 91% to 97%, indicates a strong representation and focus on the Black community. This is further reflected in the university's history as the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans.

While the student body is predominantly Black, there is also a small population of White students, ranging from 2.15% to 4% according to different sources. Other racial and ethnic groups are also represented, including Native American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, and Pacific Islander students, although they make up a smaller proportion of the student body.

The racial demographics of VSU are an important aspect of its identity as an HBCU, and the university continues to be a leader in providing educational opportunities and a supportive community for Black students. The high percentage of Black students is a testament to its commitment to serving and educating the Black community.

The university has a higher percentage of female students

Virginia State University (VSU) is a historically black college and university (HBCU) with a strong history of and commitment to the education of black Americans. It was founded in 1882 as the United States' first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans.

In the 2017-2018 academic year, the student body was 57.4% female and 43% male. This is broken down further by full-time undergraduate students, who are 61% female and 39% male, and full-time graduate students, who are 67% female and 33% male. In total, there are 2,463 female students and 1,557 male students at VSU. This gender disparity is reflected in the faculty, too, where there are 539 female teachers and 440 male teachers.

VSU's commitment to the education of black Americans is reflected in its student body demographics, with 91.1% of students self-identifying as black/African American, 4.0% as white, and 4.0% racially unreported. In 2022, the university had an overall enrollment of 4,648 students, 91.3% of whom were black or African American, 2.15% were white, 1.38% were Hispanic or Latino, 0.344% were Asian, and 0.129% were American Indian or Alaska Native.

The acceptance rate is 89.7-90%

Virginia State University (VSU) is a public, historically Black university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded in 1882, it was the United States' 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.

VSU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,300 students and an acceptance rate of 89.7%-90%. The university offers 31 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 38%, and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $5,540, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $16,542. The student body is predominantly female (57.4%) and Black (91.1%), with a small White population (4.0%). The university has a low geographic diversity score, with 72% of the student body residing in-state.

The application process for VSU includes submitting official transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, a personal statement/essay, and letters of recommendation. International students may also be required to submit English proficiency test scores. The regular admissions application deadline is May 1.

VSU offers a range of academic programs, including business, education, engineering, nursing, and the arts. The university also has a strong research focus, with several research centres dedicated to studying African American history and culture, environmental sustainability, and public health.

Frequently asked questions