What are Virginia State University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:
- GPA requirements
- Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
- Application requirements
In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Virginia State University and build a strong application.
School location: Petersburg, VA
Admissions Rate: 91%
If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.
The acceptance rate at Virginia State University is 91%. For every 100 applicants, 91 are admitted.

This means the school isa nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.
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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Virginia State University GPA Requirements
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 2.85
The average GPA at Virginia State University is 2.85.

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 2.85, Virginia State Universityaccepts students with below-average GPAs. You might have a mix of B's and C's in your high school record. It's best to avoid D's and F's, since application readers might question your commitment to studying and ability to succeed in college.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Virginia State University. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Virginia State University SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.
Average SAT: 920
The average SAT score composite at Virginia State University is a 920 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes Virginia State University Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.
Virginia State University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile SAT score is 820, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1010. In other words, a 820 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1010 will move you up to above average.
Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Math | 450 | 400 | 500 |
Reading + Writing | 470 | 420 | 510 |
Composite | 920 | 820 | 1010 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
Virginia State University ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, Virginia State University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 17
The average ACT score at Virginia State University is 17. This score makes Virginia State University Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 15, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 19.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 15 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Virginia State University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 15.
Studying for the ACT instead? Want to learn how to improve your ACT score by 4 points?
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
Virginia State University hasn't reported their stance on SAT Essay/ACT Writing, but most likely they consider it to be optional. Thus you don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
We did not find information that Virginia State University requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.
Final Admissions Verdict

This school offers nearly open admissions, which means they give almost every student an offer of admission. To be safe, you should aim for a 820 SAT or a 15 ACT or higher. If you can achieve this, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in the incoming class.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Admissions Calculator
What are your chances of admission at Virginia State University?
Chances of admission with these scores:
Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.
Pick your test:SATACT
SAT Score
Your GPA
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
How would your chances improve with a better score?
Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?
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Application Requirements
Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Virginia State University here.
Application Requirements Overview
- Common ApplicationNot accepted
- Universal ApplicationNot accepted
- Electronic ApplicationAvailable
- Essay or Personal StatementRecommended for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation2
- InterviewNot required
- Application Fee$25
- Fee Waiver Available?Available
- Other Notes
Testing Requirements
- SAT or ACTRequired
- SAT Essay or ACT WritingNone
- SAT Subject Tests
- Scores Due in OfficeMay 1
Coursework Requirements
- SubjectRequired Years
- English4
- Math3
- Science2
- Foreign Language
- Social Studies
- History2
- Electives
Deadlines and Early Admissions
- Offered?DeadlineNotification
- Regular Admission
- YesMay 1Rolling
- Early Action
- No
- Early Decision
- No
Admissions Office Information
- Address:1
Petersburg,VA 23806-0001 - Phone:(804) 524-5902
- Fax:(804) 524-5055
- Email:[emailprotected]
Other Schools For You
If you're interested in Virginia State University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Virginia State University.
Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into
These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Virginia State University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX | 1040 | 20 |
California State University Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | 1035 | 19 |
California State University Northridge | Northridge, CA | 1030 | 19 |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, PA | 1017 | 19 |
California State University East Bay | Hayward, CA | 992 | 19 |
Kean University | Union, NJ | 990 | 20 |
California State University Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 985 | 18 |
Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into
If you're competitive for Virginia State University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Albertus Magnus College | New Haven, CT | 940 | 24 |
Bloomfield College | Bloomfield, NJ | 940 | 18 |
College of St. Joseph | Rutland, VT | 940 | 19 |
Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 930 | 22 |
Huntsville, AL | 930 | 18 | |
Texas Southern University | Houston, TX | 910 | 17 |
California State University Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 900 | 18 |
Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into
If you're currently competitive for Virginia State University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Virginia State University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Harris-Stowe State University | St. Louis, MO | 880 | 18 |
Pine Manor College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 870 | 15 |
Paul Quinn College | Dallas, TX | 840 | 16 |
Wiley College | Marshall, TX | 830 | 16 |
Albany State University | Albany, GA | 830 | 16 |
Medgar Evers College (City University of New York) | Brooklyn, NY | 820 | 14 |
Livingstone College | Salisbury, NC | 820 | 15 |
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
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FAQs
Is it easy to get into Virginia State University? ›
The acceptance rate at Virginia State University is 91%.
For every 100 applicants, 91 are admitted. This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in.
Students with an ACT score of 19 and above have a good chance of getting into Virginia State University. Students with an ACT score that falls between 15 and 19 have an average chance of getting admitted, and students with an ACT score of 15 or below have a low chance of being offered admission.
What is an admission requirement? ›Admission requirements means the specific minimum criteria a school must use when accepting a student into the school.
How hard is it to get accepted to University of Virginia? ›The acceptance rate at UVA is 23.9%.
For every 100 applicants, 24 are admitted. This means the school is very selective. If you meet UVA's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in.
Accordingly, UVA requires all applicants to complete two required UVA essays in addition to the personal statement that you'll encounter within the Common App or the Coalition App.
Is it easier to get into UVA in-state or out-of-state? ›The overall University of Virginia acceptance rate sits at 20.75% as of the class of 2025. Students applying in-state to UVA have a 36% acceptance rate, while out-of-state students have an 18% acceptance rate. You have a much better chance of getting into UVA if you live in Virginia.
What is the reputation of Virginia State University? ›Virginia State University (VSU) is ranked among the best universities in the country, according to numerous national educational reports. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks VSU as the top HBCU in Virginia and in the top 12% of all Bang-for-your-Buck institutions in the southeast region of the United States.
What state college has the highest acceptance rate? ›- University of New Mexico: 97%
- Kansas State University: 96%
- University of Maine: 96%
- North Dakota State University: 95%
- University of Memphis: 95%
- University of Utah: 95%
- East Carolina University: 94%
- University of Kentucky: 94%
We don't have a minimum GPA. We don't have a minimum SAT score.
What state has the easiest colleges to get into? ›- Adams State University. Location: Alamosa, Colorado.
- University of Texas at El Paso. Location: El Paso, Texas. ...
- Eastern Washington University. ...
- Dickinson State University. ...
- Presentation College. ...
- Eastern Oregon University. ...
- Wright State University. ...
- Western Kentucky University. ...
Is Virginia an Ivy League? ›
Moll's list of the Public Ivies consisted of 15 schools, including William & Mary, UC Berkeley, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Michigan, UCLA, and the University of Virginia.
What are 3 possible requirements for admission into college? ›Admission to a college or university typically entails a high school diploma or GED, certain coursework completed at the high school level and minimum aptitude test scores. The exact courses and test score minimums vary between schools.
What does admissions look for? ›Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
Why is admission requirements important? ›The admissions requirements of an institution determine the percentage of applicants who are likely to be admitted, this will also indicates your child's chances of being accepted at an institution.
What college has the lowest acceptance rate? ›SCHOOL | LOCATION | ACCEPTANCE RATE |
---|---|---|
Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 4% |
Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 4% |
Yale University | New Haven, CT | 5% |
Brown University | Providence, RI | 6% |
Admission odds
Generally speaking, early action programs do not significantly increase your child's odds of getting into colleges, especially at highly selective schools. They simply allow your child to find out sooner whether or not they've gotten in.
No matter what kind of coursework a student takes, the highest possible GPA in an unweighted system is a 4.3.
Do you need an admission essay? ›Many colleges and universities require a college admissions essay as part of the application process. These personal statements allow students to describe their academic achievements, their strengths, and other personal aspects that can help admissions officers see them as unique individuals.
Do you need an essay to apply for university? ›Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application. It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time.
How to answer the University of Virginia supplemental essays? ›Don't give an entire overview of your history—describing something more fully will resonate more than trying to cram a lot of experiences into a relatively short essay. Be honest about what drove you to kinesiology—don't write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Write what's true for you.
How many people does UVA accept out-of-state? ›
According to recently released reports, the current UVA out-of-state acceptance rate is around 15%. Rather than focusing on geographic diversity, UVA takes pride in growing its larger cultural diversity.
Is UVA or William and Mary better? ›(The Center Square) – The University of Virginia is the third best public university in the country, but The College of William & Mary dropped to 13th, according to the newest ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
How can I increase my chances of getting into UVA? ›UVA rates six factors as “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of high school course load, class rank, GPA, recommendation letters, character/personal qualities, and state residency (again, being from VA is a major advantage).
What is the number 1 university in Virginia? ›College and Program Accreditation
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY is an 1890 land-grant university offering its students education in the fields of agriculture, engineering, family and consumer sciences, and the military sciences.
The most popular majors at University of Virginia include: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; Social Sciences; Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Psychology; ...
What college has a 100% acceptance rate? ›Established in 1911 in southwestern Utah, Dixie State University features a 100% acceptance rate. The campus, which sits adjacent to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, serves more than 11,000 students, about 60% of whom attend full time.
What is the easiest but best college to get into? ›- South Florida State College (Avon Park, Florida)
- St. ...
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire)
- University of Texas- El Paso (El Paso, Texas)
- Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah)
- Wayne State College (Wayne, Nebraska)
- Wilmington University (New Castle, Delaware)
- 1) Harvard University.
- 2) Columbia University.
- 3) Caltech.
- 4) Stanford University.
- 5) MIT.
- 6) Princeton University.
- 7) Yale University.
- 8) Brown University.
The minimum GPA for a number of different schools rests around 2.0. The 2.0 GPA is a standard in the college world that leaves a student around a C average, and the students who are below a C average are not learning enough information to qualify for a degree.
What is the lowest passing GPA in college? ›
The grade-point-average system in U.S. colleges designates an A with four points, a B with 3 points, a C with two points, and a D as one point and an F is equivalent to zero. Undergraduate students need to have a minimum of 2.0 GPA while graduate students need a 3.0 GPA.
What is the lowest possible GPA in college? ›Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.
What is the easiest Ivy League to get into? ›1. What's the easiest Ivy League school to get into? While all Ivy League schools have a low acceptance rate, Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate among them. Cornell's acceptance rate is 11%, but try not to get too hung up on the numbers.
What is the cheapest college in USA? ›State | Overall Rank | Final Score |
---|---|---|
California | 1 | 7.54 |
New York | 2 | 7.04 |
Minnesota | 3 | 6.87 |
Utah | 4 | 6.8 |
Cornell University Tuition
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell boasts the lowest cost of attendance before financial aid at its state-funded schools. Costs for its privately-funded colleges are on par with the rest of the Ivy League.
The Hidden Ivies are colleges and universities considered to rival the eight Ivy League schools without being part of that prestigious group. These schools offer similar academic opportunities to students but might get overlooked because of their lack of popularity when compared to the famous Ivies.
How can I stand out for college admissions? ›- Have a diverse list of extracurricular activities.
- Challenge yourself.
- Go beyond the norm in a college essay.
- Show grades trending up.
- Demonstrate interest in the college.
- Schedule an interview if possible.
- Courses taken.
- Grades received.
- Class rank.
- Standardized test scores.
- Personal statements and essays.
- Recommendations.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Interviews.
- Safety.
- Academic Support and Career Services. ...
- Campus Life. ...
- Athletics and Extracurricular Activities. ...
- Majors and Minors. ...
- Class Size. ...
- Cost and Fees. ...
- Location and Distance From Home. ...
Do admissions officers look you up? ›
Do colleges look at social media before admitting students? Yes, college and university admissions departments can check up on teens and 20-somethings via public-facing social media platforms.
Do admissions officers look at every application? ›Yes, admissions officers do read applications. The admission office of a particular college or university may also hire remote or in-office seasonal readers to read applications during the admissions “reading season.”
What does requirements for admission mean? ›Related Definitions
Admission requirements means the specific minimum criteria a school must use when accepting a student into the school.
The recommendation for admission means that the department has judged you an eligible candidate, and they are recommending your acceptance to the level that makes the final acceptance (Dean/Admissions Office etc.
What are the minimum requirements for university? ›To meet the minimum admission requirements to a Bachelor's Degree study at a higher education institution, a candidate must obtain, apart from the National Senior Certificate, an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50% - 59%) or better in four (4) designated subjects: Accounting, Information Technology, ...
What GPA do you need to get into UVA in state? ›Applicants must meet one of the following and have a minimum 2.0 Cumulative High School GPA: High School Class Rank - Top 50% 3.0 Cumulative High School GPA (4.0 Scale) 17 ACT Composite Score or 900 SAT Composite Score (test optional)
What is the SAT requirement for Virginia State University? ›Admissions Summary
Virginia State University is not selective with an acceptance rate of 95%. Students that get into Virginia State University have an SAT score between 830–1010 .
There's no absolute SAT requirement at UVA, but they really want to see at least a 1340 to have a chance at being considered.
Is University of Virginia hard to get into out of state? ›The overall University of Virginia acceptance rate sits at 20.75% as of the class of 2025. Students applying in-state to UVA have a 36% acceptance rate, while out-of-state students have an 18% acceptance rate. You have a much better chance of getting into UVA if you live in Virginia.
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard? ›What GPA do I need to get into Harvard? To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. The Harvard Crimson reports that the average reported GPA of entering freshmen in the class of 2022 was 3.90 on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
What GPA do you need to get into Yale? ›
You should also have a 4.14 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Yale, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Can I get into UVA without SAT? ›We are test optional for the Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 cycles and have no preference between the SAT and ACT.
How many questions are on the SAT Virginia? ›The SAT features 154 questions vs. 215 for the ACT. Broken down by test components, the SAT has a 65-minute reading test, a 35-minute writing and language test and an 80-minute math section.
What is the acceptance rate for Virginia State University? › What is the lowest passing SAT score? ›A perfect SAT score is 1600. The minimum score is 400.
What's the lowest SAT score to get into college? ›For a selective public institution like the University of Michigan, you'll want to hit at least 1350. Less selective public institutions, as well as many small liberal arts colleges, regularly accept applicants in the 950-1050 range.
What SAT score is a 30? ›SAT | ACT Composite Score |
---|---|
1450-1480 | 33 |
1420-1440 | 32 |
1390-1410 | 31 |
1360-1380 | 30 |
Regular Decision Admit Rate: 16.4% (20% in-state admit rate, 15% out-of-state admit rate)