- TypeUniversities
- LocationPetersburg, The United States
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Virginia State University (VSU) is a public historically black university (HBCU) founded in 1882 and one of the two land-grant institutions of the state of Virginia (United States). Its 231-acre campus lies in the village of Ettrick, 20 minutes south of Richmond, overlooking the Appomattox River and Petersburg. VSU has approximately 5,000 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. According to the university, it ranked 11th among HBCUs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Teaching is organised in six colleges: Agriculture, Business, Education, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural and Health Sciences. VSU offers 37 undergraduate degree programmes, 16 graduate degree programmes, two doctoral programmes and nine certificate programmes.
International students apply online for the term they wish to start and mail a supplemental document packet; the application is free and admission is rolling. The International Student Office helps with the forms required by U.S. immigration authorities. The campus has 11 residence halls.
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Public University
+1 804-524-5000
1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA, The United States, 23806
37 undergraduate degree programmes and nine certificate programmes, taught in six colleges:
- College of Agriculture
- Reginald F. Lewis College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering and Technology
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Natural and Health Sciences
As a land-grant university, VSU teaches agriculture, engineering, family and consumer sciences and military sciences, and runs a 412-acre agricultural research facility.
The College of Graduate Studies offers 16 graduate degree programmes and two doctoral programmes. VSU is classified as an R2 university (High Research Spending and Doctorate Production) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Graduate students can take part in the VSU Graduate Research Initiative (VGRI), including an annual graduate research conference, and in a theses and dissertation workshop series.
Undergraduate international applicants complete the free online application for the term they wish to start and mail a complete packet to the Office of Admissions (incomplete packets are not reviewed):
- International Applicant Supplement
- Official or certified academic records in the original language, including national examinations
- Evaluation of academic records by SpanTran, WES or another NACES member
- SAT/ACT scores if applicable (VSU is test optional)
- English proficiency scores for non-native speakers
- Two letters of recommendation (freshmen; one from the guidance counselor)
- Personal statement or essay
- Proof of immunization
Financial documentation goes to the International Student Advisor, not to Admissions. Admission is rolling.
Teaching is in English. Non-native English speakers submit official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or Cambridge English scores with their application. No minimum scores are stated on the undergraduate international applicants page.
The campus has 11 residence halls, with separate halls for freshmen and for upper-class students, and living and learning communities. Students apply for housing through the Department of Residence Life and Housing, which publishes hall and dining plan rates each year.