Virginia State University Ranks Among Top HBCUs Nationwide

VSU receives high rankings for Best Overall HBCUs, Social Mobility, and Bang-for-your-Buck institutions. 

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. The list is determined by an institution’s ability to afford access to marketable degrees for non-wealthy students.     

In addition, VSU ranks in the top 15% of the 2022 Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This ranking by College Consensus combines the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews.  

“We know Greater Happens Here at Virginia State University, and these statistics continue to reflect that,” said Dr. Donald E. Palm, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “The fact that each list examines different factors demonstrates that VSU is doing many things well. We are grateful for the faculty, students, staff, and alumni who make this university one that consistently ranks among the best.”   

VSU also ranks in the top 30 in Best Overall HBCUs, according to the 2022-2023 U.S. News and World Report college rankings. The University rose from 29th to 26th in the annual list, which examines factors such as retention, alumni giving, faculty resources, graduate indebtedness, and student excellence. There are 101 HBCUs in the United States.  

Virginia State University is also ranked in the top 20% on the 2022-2023 list of “Performers on Social Mobility” of Regional Universities South. This listing, by U.S. News and World Report, evaluates which schools best serve and graduate underrepresented students.  

“Recognition as a performer on social mobility and cost value provides further validation of VSU as an opportunity and access university,” said VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah.  “At VSU, we believe in equity, and there is no greater opportunity to balance the scales than by providing our students with access to a quality education.”    

Virginia State University is the nation’s first state-supported HBCU to offer a college and a normal program, opening doors for transformative experiences, opportunities, and access to a diverse population of lifelong learners in an inclusive environment. The University prides itself on being the premiere opportunity university by supporting its students through graduation and beyond, thereby changing the economic outlook of VSU students, their families, and generations to come.