Virginia State University sits on a bluff above the Appomattox River in Ettrick, just across from Petersburg. It opened in 1882 as one of the first fully state-supported four-year colleges for Black Americans, and it remains a historically Black, land-grant university today. Agriculture, engineering, business and computer science are among its main programmes. The Randolph Farm, a large research farm, supports its agriculture teaching.
Petersburg, Virginia, United States
Official website: vsu.edu
1882
Public HBCU and land-grant university
Randolph Farm agricultural research station
$19,000 – $22,000
Out-of-state tuition, undergraduate
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on vsu.edu before you apply.
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Agriculture
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Accounting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
One of Virginia's two land-grant universities.
A historic HBCU campus on the Appomattox River.
Agricultural research on its own working farm.
Graduates join federal agencies, state government and firms around Richmond.
Engineering and computing graduates find roles in the Washington DC region.
Bachelor's graduates can apply for OPT, with extensions for STEM majors.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus has brick halls on a hill, a football stadium and residence halls. Most first-year students live on campus.
Petersburg is a historic small city with Civil War sites and low rent. Richmond is about 25 miles north, and Washington DC is around two and a half hours.
Form I-20 issued by Virginia State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
VSU admits on a rolling basis. International students should apply by early summer for fall and October for spring.
New students start in fall (August) or spring (January).
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Virginia State University after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Computer science, mechanical engineering, agriculture and accounting are popular choices. Applicants need a completed secondary school record and English at about IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 61.
VSU has some academic scholarships, but aid for international students is limited. Plan to fund most of your studies and ask admissions about any merit awards.
