VCU Tuition 2026: In-State, Out-of-State Costs, Fees, Aid, Housing and Payment Guide
VCU tuition searches usually come from students who need a real number fast. For 2026-2027, VCU lists $14,047 in-state undergraduate tuition and $36,521 out-of-state undergraduate tuition before mandatory, program, course, housing, dining and parking fees.
The full undergraduate cost is higher. VCU’s estimated annual cost of attendance is $44,673 for in-state on-campus students, $69,413 for out-of-state on-campus students, $46,258 for in-state off-campus students, and $71,267 for out-of-state off-campus students.
This guide gives the numbers, payment dates, installment plan rules, deposit amounts, FAFSA deadline, refund risk, late fees and practical steps to estimate what you may actually owe.
2026-2027 in-state undergraduate tuition before mandatory and program fees.
2026-2027 out-of-state undergraduate tuition before mandatory and program fees.
Estimated billed charges for in-state undergraduates living on campus.
Estimated billed charges for out-of-state undergraduates living on campus.
Quick answer: what should a student budget for VCU?
For 2026-2027, a Virginia resident undergraduate living on campus should plan around $44,673 before aid.
A nonresident undergraduate living on campus should plan around $69,413 before aid.
Off-campus budgets are slightly different because VCU estimates food/housing as an allowance instead of a direct campus housing charge.
VCU tuition guide quick navigation
VCU tuition and fees 2026-2027: undergraduate cost breakdown
This is the main table students need. Tuition alone is useful, but VCU’s cost of attendance shows both direct costs and estimated personal costs.
| Cost item | Resident on campus | Nonresident on campus | Resident off campus | Nonresident off campus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition only | $14,047 | $36,521 | $14,047 | $36,521 |
| Tuition and mandatory fees | $17,963 | $41,127 | $17,693 | $41,127 |
| Food and housing direct cost | $19,724 | $19,724 | N/A | N/A |
| Estimated charges billed by VCU | $37,687 | $60,851 | $17,693 | $41,127 |
| Food and housing off-campus allowance | N/A | N/A | $19,724 | $19,724 |
| Books and supplies | $1,290 | $1,290 | $1,290 | $1,290 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | $4,322 | $4,322 | $4,322 | $4,322 |
| Transportation | $1,304 | $2,880 | $3,158 | $4,734 |
| Loan fees | $70 | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | $44,673 | $69,413 | $46,258 | $71,267 |
Popular VCU tuition searches answered fast
These short answers match the most common cost questions students and parents search before applying, accepting admission or paying a bill.
VCU tuition in-state
$14,047 tuition only for 2026-2027 undergraduate Virginia residents.
Tuition and mandatory fees are $17,963 for resident on-campus undergraduates.
VCU tuition out-of-state
$36,521 tuition only for 2026-2027 undergraduate nonresidents.
Tuition and mandatory fees are $41,127.
VCU tuition per year
Undergraduate tuition only is $14,047 in-state and $36,521 out-of-state.
Use cost of attendance for a realistic full-year budget.
VCU tuition per semester
Tuition-only estimate is about $7,023.50 in-state and $18,260.50 out-of-state.
Actual semester bills include fees, housing, dining, aid and program charges.
VCU room and board
VCU’s 2026-2027 food and housing direct cost for on-campus undergraduates is $19,724.
Off-campus students use a food and housing allowance of $19,724 in the COA.
VCU cost of attendance
$44,673 for resident on-campus undergraduates.
$69,413 for nonresident on-campus undergraduates.
VCU off-campus cost
$46,258 resident off-campus undergraduate COA.
$71,267 nonresident off-campus undergraduate COA.
VCU tuition deposit
$100 for most accepted undergraduate students.
$300 for students accepted into the School of the Arts.
VCU FAFSA code
VCU’s federal school code is 003735.
The 2026-2027 FAFSA/VASA priority deadline is February 1, 2026.
VCU payment plan
VCU offers IPP5 and IPP4 installment plans.
The IPP fee is $25, and students must make the required initial payment manually.
VCU graduate, doctoral and professional cost notes
The title mainly targets undergraduate tuition searches, but many users also look for VCU graduate tuition. Here are the official 2026-2027 annual planning figures by student level.
| Student level | Resident tuition/fees | Nonresident tuition/fees | Resident total COA range | Nonresident total COA range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s | $18,528 | $33,746 | $45,350–$47,204 | $62,144–$63,998 |
| Doctoral | $15,908 | $29,470 | $42,730–$44,584 | $57,868–$59,722 |
| First professional | Varies by program | Varies by program | Varies by program | Varies by program |
VCU financial aid, FAFSA, grants and scholarships
VCU’s aid process starts with the FAFSA for eligible students. Virginia students who cannot file the FAFSA or have DACA status may use the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application when eligible.
VCU federal school code for FAFSA.
2026-2027 FAFSA and VASA priority deadline.
Incoming freshmen applying for fall are automatically considered for university-level scholarships if they apply by this date.
Half-time enrollment level used for some federal aid and work-study rules.
| Aid item | What it means | Student action |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA | Main application for federal grants, work-study and loans. | File as early as possible and list VCU school code 003735. |
| VASA | Virginia Alternative State Aid Application for certain Virginia students not eligible to file FAFSA. | Use by the Feb. 1 priority date when eligible. |
| Grants | Need-based aid that generally does not need repayment. | File FAFSA accurately and resolve processing issues quickly. |
| Scholarships | University-level and other scholarships may reduce the balance. | Apply for admission by Nov. 1 for automatic freshman scholarship consideration. |
| Federal Work-Study | Employment aid for eligible students with financial need. | Meet FAFSA, half-time enrollment, SAP and SAI/need requirements. |
| Loans | Borrowed aid that must be repaid. | Use only after reviewing grants, scholarships, payment plans and gap balance. |
VCU tuition deposit, admissions response and first-year cost steps
Accepted students should not confuse the tuition deposit with the full tuition bill. The deposit confirms enrollment, while the bill comes later after registration, aid and charges are processed.
| Item | Amount/date | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate tuition deposit | $100 | Pay through eServices after accepting your offer. |
| School of the Arts tuition deposit | $300 | Use the same accepted-student deposit process. |
| Fall response deadline | May 1 if accepted by April 1 | Respond by May 1, or within two weeks if accepted after April 1. |
| Spring response deadline | Within two weeks | Respond within two weeks of acceptance. |
| Deposit waiver | May be requested | Students receiving scholarship or financial aid may request a waiver on the response form. |
| Final transcript | Aug. 1 for fall admits | Financial aid will not release until final transcript is received. |
How to pay VCU tuition: eStatements, eServices and payment plans
VCU issues bills electronically. Students are notified at their VCU email address when the eStatement is available, but the email itself is not the detailed bill.
VCU Installment Payment Plan: IPP5 vs IPP4
VCU installment plans can help split the semester balance, but the first payment must be calculated and paid manually. Financial aid, third-party scholarships, 529 prepaid plans, trust payments and deposits do not count as the required personal payment.
| Plan | How it works | Initial payment | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP5 | Divides the net semester balance into 5 equal payments. | 1/5 of net balance plus fee. | $25 | Students who enroll early and want the longest semester split. |
| IPP4 | Divides the net semester balance into 4 equal payments. | 1/4 of net balance plus fee. | $25 | Students who miss IPP5 timing but still need installments. |
2026-2027 IPP payment due dates
| Payment | IPP5 Fall 2026 | IPP5 Spring 2027 | IPP4 Fall 2026 | IPP4 Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug. 20 | Jan. 21 | Sept. 17 | Feb. 19 |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | Feb. 19 | Oct. 14 | March 18 |
| 3 | Oct. 14 | March 18 | Nov. 10 | Apr. 12 |
| 4 | Nov. 10 | Apr. 12 | Dec. 3 | May 5 |
| 5 | Dec. 3 | May 5 | N/A | N/A |
VCU billing deadlines for 2026-2027
VCU says payment is due at the start of the semester, and additional charges are due by the date listed on the invoice. These dates can change, so students should always check their eStatement.
| Billing date | Payment due date | Semester | Student action |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 23, 2026 | Aug. 20, 2026 | Fall 2026 | Main fall bill due date and IPP5 first payment date. |
| Aug. 27, 2026 | Sept. 17, 2026 | Fall 2026 | Last day to enroll in IPP for fall 2026. |
| Sept. 22, 2026 | Oct. 14, 2026 | Fall 2026 | Review added charges or remaining installment balance. |
| Oct. 19, 2026 | Nov. 10, 2026 | Fall 2026 | Watch for late-added balances. |
| Nov. 12, 2026 | Dec. 3, 2026 | Fall 2026 | Final listed fall deadline in the billing schedule. |
| Dec. 14, 2026 | Jan. 21, 2027 | Spring 2027 | Main spring bill due date and IPP5 first payment date. |
| Jan. 29, 2027 | Feb. 19, 2027 | Spring 2027 | Last day to enroll in IPP for spring 2027. |
| Feb. 25, 2027 | March 18, 2027 | Spring 2027 | Check aid changes, course changes and remaining balances. |
| March 23, 2027 | April 13, 2027 | Spring 2027 | Pay updated invoice if new charges appear. |
| April 14, 2027 | May 5, 2027 | Spring 2027 | Final listed spring deadline in the billing schedule. |
VCU refund, drop and withdrawal cost risk
Dropping or withdrawing can change both tuition charges and financial aid. For standard fall and spring classes, VCU refund percentages depend on the week of the semester.
| Timing | Fall 2026 example | Student refund | Retained by university |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop before first day / first week | Drop through Aug. 24, 2026 | 100% tuition and fees | 0% |
| Withdraw second week | Aug. 25-Aug. 31, 2026 | 80% tuition and university fee | 20% tuition and university fee; 100% of all other fees |
| Withdraw third week | Sept. 1-7, 2026 | 60% tuition and university fee | 40% tuition and university fee; 100% of all other fees |
| Withdraw fourth week | Sept. 8-14, 2026 | 40% tuition and university fee | 60% tuition and university fee; 100% of all other fees |
| After fourth week | Beginning Sept. 15, 2026 | 0% | 100% tuition and all fees |
VCU tuition contacts, office address and map
Use Student Financial Services for tuition, aid, billing and payment questions. Keep your V-number, term, bill screenshot and aid award details ready.
Best for: tuition, cost of attendance, FAFSA, aid, billing, payment plans and account questions.
Office: Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Suite 1100, Box 843036, Richmond, VA 23284.
Phone: 804-828-1550
Email: sfmc@vcu.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Zoom drop-in: Monday-Friday, 9-11 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m.
Best for: accepted-student response, eID, deposit process, V-number and admissions checklist issues.
Admissions phone: (800) 841-3638 or (804) 828-1222
Deposit: $100 for most undergraduates, $300 for School of the Arts.
Tip: If receiving scholarship or aid, check whether a deposit waiver is available on the response form.
VCU campus map
VCU student and parent checklist before paying
FAQs about VCU tuition 2026-2027
How much is VCU in-state tuition in 2026-2027?
VCU lists undergraduate in-state tuition at $14,047 for 2026-2027. Tuition and mandatory fees for a resident undergraduate living on campus are listed at $17,963.
How much is VCU out-of-state tuition in 2026-2027?
VCU lists undergraduate out-of-state tuition at $36,521. Tuition and mandatory fees for nonresident undergraduates are listed at $41,127.
What is VCU’s full cost of attendance?
For undergraduates, VCU’s estimated 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $44,673 for resident on-campus, $69,413 for nonresident on-campus, $46,258 for resident off-campus and $71,267 for nonresident off-campus students.
How much is VCU room and board?
VCU lists food and housing at $19,724 for undergraduate on-campus direct cost. Off-campus students also use a $19,724 food and housing allowance in the cost of attendance.
How much is VCU tuition per semester?
A tuition-only estimate is $7,023.50 per semester for in-state undergraduates and $18,260.50 per semester for out-of-state undergraduates, based on the annual tuition amount. Actual bills include fees and other charges.
What is VCU’s FAFSA deadline for 2026-2027?
VCU’s 2026-2027 FAFSA and VASA priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Students should still apply if they miss the priority date.
What is VCU’s FAFSA school code?
VCU’s federal school code is 003735.
Does VCU have scholarships?
Yes. Outstanding freshman applicants are automatically considered for university-level scholarships if they apply for the fall semester by Nov. 1. Some transfer scholarships are also available for eligible Virginia Community College System transfer students.
What is the VCU tuition deposit?
The standard undergraduate tuition deposit is $100. The School of the Arts tuition deposit is $300. A tuition deposit waiver may be available for students receiving scholarship or financial aid.
What is VCU’s late fee?
VCU says late payments may be assessed a late fee of 10% of the unpaid balance, up to $100.