VCU tuition to increase by 2.5%, fees to go up by $200

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Tuition and fees for undergraduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) are going up, with this increase coming just a year after a similar bump in May 2024.

The VCU Board of Visitors voted on Friday, May 9 to increase tuition for undergraduate students by 2.5% -- after initially raising it by 2.7% on May 10, 2024 -- as well as increase fees by $200.

University leaders said the reason for the increase was due to military tuition waivers and salary increases, inflationary increases in insurance premiums and service contracts, as well as strategic investments in academic and applied learning programming.

“VCU is a microcosm of America, welcoming hardworking students from all backgrounds who are motivated to earn a degree,” said VCU President Michael Rao in a press release. “The board’s action today helps keep tuition affordable for our students while aligning our resources to invest in student success, innovation and research that impacts lives.”

Since fiscal year 2020, the Board of Visitors has adjusted tuition below the rate of inflation. From fiscal years 2020 to 2022, it did not increase tuition due to Virginia's "support and internal budget realignments," the university said.

VCU aims to address mandatory and inflationary cost increases and its commitment to investing in academic programming and applied learning.

According to VCU, typical in-state undergraduate students enrolled in 15 credits per semester will pay $17,240 in tuition and mandatory fees in the 2025-26 academic year, an increase of $520. Out-of-state undergraduate students’ tuition and mandatory fees would be set at $40,404, an increase of $520.

More information about costs for undergraduate students at VCU can be found here.