In 1968, the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute merged to become Virginia Commonwealth University, the state’s most comprehensive urban university.

Virginia Commonwealth University provides a fertile and stimulating environment for learning, teaching, research, creative expression and public service. The faculty is actively engaged in scholarship and creative exploration activities that increase knowledge and understanding of the world and inspire and enrich teaching.

The university is dedicated to educating full-time and part-time students of all ages and backgrounds in an atmosphere of free inquiry and scholarship so they may realize their full potential as informed, productive citizens with a lifelong commitment to learning and service.

Virginia Commonwealth University serves the local, state, national and international communities through its scholarly activities, its diverse educational programs and its public service activities. As an institution of higher learning in a metropolitan center that also is the state capital, the university enjoys unique resources that enrich its programs. The university also contributes its intellectual and creative expertise in the development of innovative approaches to meet the changing needs of our society.

Academics
The university offers 60 baccalaureate, 67 master, 40 doctorate, 3 first professional, and 41 certificate academic programs.

Financial Aid Types
- Grants - Need-based awards that are not repaid
- Scholarships - Awards, usually merit-based, that don't need to be repaid
- Federal Work-Study - Opportunities to earn money through work
- Loans - Money borrowed that must be repaid
- Veteran's Benefits - Benefits for those who've served in the military, reserves or National Guard (spouses & dependents may be eligible)
- Other Veteran's Aid - For treatment of Veterans and Americorps benefits in determining other financial aid
- Installment Payment Plan - 4 month payment plan for the fall and spring semesters

Admission requirements for freshmen
Prospective freshmen seeking admission to VCU immediately after high school graduation are generally but not solely evaluated on the criteria below:
- High school grade-point average or GED Battery Score
- Test scores from the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
- Rank in class (Students graduating from a high school that does not do a class ranking will not be penalized in the admission process.)
- High school curriculum