Virginia Commonwealth University
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Virginia Commonwealth University

(VCU)

🇺🇸 United States / Virginia / Richmond
Public R1 Est. 1838

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

Ranking Snapshot

Ranked Top 301 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems

ARWU #301-400 (2025)
THE #401–500 (2026)

Ranked in 51 subject rankings

QS QS World University Rankings
# 901-950
3
2026
THE Times Higher Education World University Rankings
# 401–500
46.2
2026
ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
# 301-400
100
2025
US News U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
# =411
10
55.0
2026

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 QS
THE THE
ARWU ARWU
US News US News
1 101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 900 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Rank
:
Score:

Top Subjects

Best-performing areas
9
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Top 10
50
Dentistry
Top 50
51-75
Education & Training
Top 100
=74
Surgery
Top 100
76-100
Library & Information Science
Top 100
101-150
Human Biological Sciences
Top 200
101-150
Clinical Medicine
Top 200
101-150
Public Health
Top 200
101-150
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Top 200
101-150
116
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Top 200
151-200
Law & Legal Studies
Top 200
151-200
Archaeology
Top 200
151-200
Art & Design
Top 200

Subject Rankings

Detailed breakdown

US News

17 subjects

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 units
University 1
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Frequently 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.