Understanding tuition and fees
What does tuition cover?
The revenue from tuition goes toward Virginia Commonwealth University’s instructional and student support programs, institutional support and building/grounds maintenance.
| Instructional and student support | Institutional support | Building/grounds maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Student support | IT | Lighting |
| Faculty support | Human resources | Utilities |
| Scholarships | Safety and security | Building maintenance |
| Instruction | Fiscal support | Grounds maintenance |
| Public service | Reserves and contingencies | Recycling |
| Research |
What do fees support?
Program and course fees
Students are charged additional fees based on programs of study and academic courses.
Mandatory fees
VCU charges mandatory fees to students to pay for items not covered by tuition, including technology support, universitywide events, recreational activities and athletics — all of which help create your full VCU experience.
Much of the funding for the new construction of classroom and instructional buildings comes from state funding provided specifically for each project. Virginia law does not allow shifting the funding for capital projects to other uses; in other words, funding for capital projects cannot be shifted to hire faculty or pay for other operating costs. In recent years, most of the capital projects funded by the state have been financed with state bonds, the proceeds of which are reserved under state and federal law for capital projects (i.e., new construction) only.
Housing, dining and parking fees
In addition to mandatory fees and program/course costs, students may pay additional fees for housing, dining and parking.
Factors determining tuition and fees
Virginia Commonwealth University tuition and fees, as outlined in the Comprehensive budget plan (2024-25), are determined by the student’s residency status, classification level, number of credit hours and course of study.
Residency
The student’s residency/domiciliary classification determines whether tuition is billed at the in-state or out-of-state rate. Eligibility for in-state tuition is governed by the Code of Virginia. Residency/domiciliary classification is determined at the time of admission to VCU. To request a review of the initial residency/domiciliary determination, contact the Office of the University Registrar.
In-state students who exceed 125% of the credit hours needed to complete their program will be assessed a tuition surcharge.
Classification and credit hours
Your classification and number of credit hours also determine your tuition and fees.
Undergraduate students registered in 12 or more credits are considered full time. Students registered in fewer than 15 credit hours are charged a per-credit-hour tuition rate. Tuition for additional credits is assessed at a reduced per-credit-hour rate for the 15th credit and each additional credit after that. Credits one to 15 are assessed at the full, per-credit-hour rate. Mandatory fees are charged at a per-credit-hour rate and capped at 12 credit hours.
Graduate students enrolled in nine to 15 credits during any semester are classified as full time. Tuition and fees are charged at a flat rate for most graduate programs. Graduate students enrolled in more than 15 credits during any semester will be charged an overload tuition fee.
Undergraduate and graduate students registered for less than a full-time course load are charged a per-credit-hour rate based on their classification/program.
Nondegree-seeking students who enroll in one or more graduate courses are charged graduate tuition rates. Nondegree-seeking students who hold a bachelor’s degree but enroll in all undergraduate courses are charged undergraduate tuition and fees. If nondegree-seeking students make changes to their course enrollment, their classification and charges may change in accordance with these guidelines.
Courses offered through the Office of Continuing and Professional Education are assessed tuition and fee charges in addition to the standard tuition and fee rates.