VCU Board of Visitors approves modest tuition and fee increases in 2026-27

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The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors on Friday approved modest increases in tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year. Tuition will increase by 3.9% for in-state undergraduate students, balancing the need to address inflation and mandated cost increases while supporting graduate stipends, paid work experiences and growth in high-demand academic degrees.

"VCU is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for our students," said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. "Today's board's action allows the university to manage rising external costs while continuing to strengthen our investment in student success at all levels of learning and to raise further the value of a VCU degree."

University leaders cited the need to cover increases in mandated costs including state-mandated military tuition waivers, state-mandated salary increases, technology, security and service contracts. Guided by a clear, strategic direction to balance the budget and support continued student success and value, a 3.9% tuition increase in the 2026-27 academic year, along with internal reductions and realignments, addresses inflationary and state-mandated cost increases as well as investments in student internships to provide more students with paid, real-world work experiences; graduate stipends to enhance VCU's research competitiveness; and high demand academic programs to further grow student success and the value of a VCU degree.

Over the past six years, VCU's board has implemented modest tuition adjustments - below inflation - while partnering with the state to invest in financial aid and provide support for mandatory and inflationary cost increases. In addition, the 2024 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Spending and Efficiency in Higher Education report found that VCU spends less per full-time student than its national peers as compared to other Virginia schools and colleges.

In her presentation to the board, Meredith Weiss, Ph.D., senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, said that VCU's average net price has stayed flat since 2019 for families earning under $110,000 per year and students have seen a 4% decrease in mean reported debt at graduation.

"This approach has maintained affordability while strategically reallocating resources to support academic priorities and prepare students for the future of work," Weiss said.

The board also voted to increase resident mandatory student fees by $196 in the 2026-27 academic year.

Typical in-state undergraduate students enrolled in 15 credits per semester will pay $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees in the 2026-27 academic year, an increase of $723. Out-of-state undergraduate students' tuition and mandatory fees would be set at $41,127, an increase of $723.

More information about the budget, tuition and fees will soon be available at budget.vcu.edu/budget-plans/.