Virginia Commonwealth University
(VCU)
About
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute, founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University. In 20...
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute, founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2022, more than 28,000 students pursued 217 degree and certificate programs through VCU's 11 schools and three colleges. The VCU Health System supports health care education, research, and patient care.
Ranking Overview
Ranked Top 301 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems
Ranked in 51 subject rankings
QS World University Rankings
Academic Ranking of World Universities
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
Key Facts
- Students
- 25,120
- Student-Staff Ratio
- 10.1 : 1
- Int'l Students
- 4%
- Female : Male
- 65 : 35
- Staff
- 7,101
Historical Trend
Longitudinal View
QS
ARWU
US News
Top Subjects
Best-performing areasSubject Rankings
Detailed breakdownUS News
17 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastroenterology and Hepatology | 9 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Surgery | =74 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems | 116 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Clinical Medicine | 158 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Psychiatry/Psychology | =178 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Oncology | 191 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | =211 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Cell Biology | =247 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Molecular Biology and Genetics | 278 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Neuroscience and Behavior | =310 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences and Public Health | =324 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Public, Environmental and Occupational Health | =341 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Biology and Biochemistry | =502 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | =773 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Materials Science | =985 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Engineering | =1,241 | 55.0 | 2026 |
| Chemistry | =1,077 | 55.0 | 2026 |
ARWU
25 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | 50 | 179.3 | 2025 |
| Education & Training | 51-75 | - | 2025 |
| Library & Information Science | 76-100 | - | 2023 |
| Human Biological Sciences | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Clinical Medicine | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Public Health | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Psychology | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Law & Legal Studies | 151-200 | - | 2024 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 201-300 | - | 2022 |
| Nursing | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Statistics & Operational Research | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Communication & Media Studies | 201-300 | - | 2023 |
| Management | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering | 301-400 | - | 2023 |
| Nanoscience & Nanotechnology | 301-400 | - | 2020 |
| Medical Technology | 301-400 | - | 2024 |
| Business Administration | 301-400 | - | 2021 |
| Chemistry | 401-500 | - | 2023 |
| Ecology | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Computer Science | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Chemical Engineering | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Materials Science | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Environmental Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2017 |
| Biological Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2023 |
QS
13 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | 51-150 | - | 2026 |
| Nursing | 101-150 | - | 2026 |
| Archaeology | 151-200 | - | 2020 |
| Art & Design | 151-200 | - | 2021 |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | 151-200 | - | 2026 |
| Medicine | 201-250 | - | 2026 |
| Psychology | 301-350 | - | 2026 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | =353 | 61.7 | 2026 |
| Biological Sciences | 401-450 | - | 2026 |
| Education & Training | 401-450 | - | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 451-500 | - | 2021 |
| Physics & Astronomy | 551-600 | - | 2020 |
| Chemistry | 601-700 | - | 2026 |
THE
10 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical & Health | 251–300 | 44.1 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 251–300 | 42.8 | 2026 |
| Life Sciences | 301–400 | 42.4 | 2026 |
| Education & Training | 301–400 | 36.3 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | 501–600 | 35.5 | 2026 |
| Engineering & Technology | 501–600 | 36.5 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 501–600 | 31.7 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 601–800 | 16.8 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 801–1000 | 27.5 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 801–1000 | 21.2 | 2026 |
Organization Structure
Related unitsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the ranking of Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia Commonwealth University's performance in the latest university rankings: QS Rank 901-950, THE Rank 401–500, ARWU Rank 301-400, US News Rank =411.
When was Virginia Commonwealth University founded?
Virginia Commonwealth University was founded in 1838.
What are the top subjects at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Top subjects at Virginia Commonwealth University include: Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dentistry, Education & Training, Surgery, Library & Information Science.
Where is Virginia Commonwealth University located?
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, United States.