VCU Board of Visitors invites public comment on tuition and fees for fiscal 2026-2027

By Brian McNeill

Senior administrators at Virginia Commonwealth University shared an enrollment update and an overview of the university's budget on March 24 during a meeting of the Board of Visitors. The presentation outlined how resources are aligned to drive VCU's success and value as well as potential changes to undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees.

Presented to the board for consideration were tuition increases ranging from 0% to 4.9%, as well as mandatory fee increases ranging from $0 to $196, for fiscal year 2026-27. VCU senior leaders presented these options to address inflationary costs and state mandates such as salary and military student waiver increases as well as investments in student internships, graduate student stipends, student advising and financial counseling, and high demand academic programs to further grow student success and the value of a VCU degree. Under the scenarios presented, these investments and costs are addressed by ongoing budget realignments, anticipated funding from the state and enrollment revenue.

Visit this online presentation to see details about the tuition and fees presented at the March 24 meeting.

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.

As a result, 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.

Public comment

The Board of Visitors invites members of the community to provide feedback on the tuition and fees presented at the VCU FY27 Tuition & Fees Open Comment Portal.

There will be a public comment period at the beginning of the full board meeting on April 24 at 8 a.m. prior to action on any tuition increase and the university's budget. The meeting will be held in the Honorable Benjamin Lambert III Board Room at 1213 Clay Street in Richmond.

If you would like to offer public comment on tuition and fees on April 24, you should register by providing the following information via email to [email protected]: name, email and phone number, VCU affiliation (e.g., student, faculty, employee, alumni, parent or member of the public) and request for reasonable accommodation if needed, including attending virtually. Please note in the subject line that you are registering to speak at the April 24 BOV meeting public comment. You may also call Chelsea Gray, executive director of board and executive operations, at 804-828-9213 to register.

Speakers will proceed in the order of registration and should be in person or online at the start of the meeting at 8 a.m. Speakers will be limited to a maximum of three minutes each. Preference will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 20 individuals to register will have the opportunity to speak during the public comment period; individuals beyond the first 20 to register may submit written comments (see below).

Individuals unable to attend the public comment period or provide comment during the allotted period may provide written comment via the VCU FY27 Tuition & Fees Open Comment Portal to ensure an adequate opportunity for informed public comment. All comments submitted to the portal must be made by 4:30 p.m. on April 20.

Details of board meetings can be found at bov.vcu.edu/meetings/.