Getting around
GRTC Pulse Bus
Free city bus service for VCU students with ID on all GRTC routes including the Pulse rapid transit line
VCU at a glance
20,753
undergrads
93%
of applicants admitted
85%
come back for year 2
68%
graduate
17 : 1
students per teacher
$64,442
typical pay 10 years in
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard.
What a year really costs
After grants and scholarships, by family income. Average: $25,037.
Under $30k $18,927
$30k–$48k $18,347
$48k–$75k $20,373
$75k–$110k $27,067
Over $110k $38,273
Tuition, in state
$17,490
Tuition, out of state
$40,654
Typical debt at graduation
$19,500
36% of students get a Pell Grant
Free stuff most students miss
Health & safety
University Counseling Services
Free counseling and mental health support for students with 24/7 crisis line and same-day appointments
Places
Institute for Contemporary Art
Free world-class contemporary art museum with exhibitions, artist talks, and community events
Student life
Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA)
Free contemporary art museum showcasing rotating exhibitions and performances by VCU and visiting artists
Eat
Dining halls, quick bites and coffee on campus.
Market 810
Dining hall All-you-care-to-eat dining hall on the second floor of Shafer Court Dining Center with multiple themed stations
810 Cathedral Place Dining hall
Shafer Court Dining Center
Dining hall Market-style dining with live cooking stations, salad bar, pizza, comfort food, and halal options
810 Cathedral Pl
Hibbs Dining
Dining hall Dining location in historic Hibbs Hall near the center of Monroe Park Campus
900 Park Ave Cafe
The Commons Food Court
Cafe Central food court in University Student Commons with multiple restaurant options
907 Floyd Ave
Chick-fil-A - Student Commons
Cafe Popular chicken restaurant in the University Student Commons food court
907 Floyd Ave
Starbucks - Cabell Library
Cafe Full-service Starbucks coffee shop inside James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus
901 Park Avenue Quick service
Panda Express
Quick service Chinese-American quick service restaurant at Shafer and Grace on Monroe Park Campus
900 W Grace Street
Panda Express - Student Commons
Cafe Chinese-American favorites in the Student Commons food court
907 Floyd Ave
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Cafe Fresh bagels, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches on the Monroe Park campus
Cafe
Shake Smart
Cafe Smoothies and protein shakes at Shafer Court Dining Center
810 Cathedral Place Market
P.O.D. Market
Market Campus convenience store in the University Student Commons with grab-and-go meals and snacks
907 Floyd Avenue
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Cafe Build-your-own burritos, bowls, and tacos on campus
Cafe
Bleecker Street Bakery
Cafe Urban-style artisan bakery with fresh breads, pastries, and baked goods at the School of Business
301 W Main Street Cafe
Au Bon Pain Ram Bytes
Cafe Fresh soups, sandwiches, and salads at the College of Engineering West Hall
401 W Main Street
Bleecker Street Cafe
Cafe Sandwich shop with fresh deli sandwiches, soups, and salads
Subway
Cafe Made-to-order subs and wraps near the VCU campus
Quick service
Subway at The Commons
Quick service Build-your-own subs and salads in the University Student Commons food court
907 Floyd Avenue Cafe
Starbucks at Larrick Center (MCV)
Cafe Starbucks on the MCV Campus in the Larrick Student Center
900 Turpin Street
VCU STEM Cafe
Cafe Coffee and snacks in the new STEM building on Franklin Street
Franklin Street Quick service
Bento Sushi
Quick service Fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine at Laurel and Grace on Monroe Park Campus
805 W Grace StreetWhere to live
Residence halls, apartments and help finding a place.
Residence hall
Brandt Hall
Residence hall Freshman suite-style residence with themed communities including Acceleration, Engage, and Global Village
710 W Franklin Street
Gladding Residence Center
Residence hall Suite-style residence hall near Monroe Park with dining and laundry
711 W Main St Residence hall
Ackell Residence Center
Residence hall Modern residence hall with community spaces for upperclassmen
815 W Franklin St Residence hall
Brandt and Rhoads Halls
Residence hall Traditional residence halls on West Franklin Street with convenient access to campus core
710 W. Franklin St Residence hall
Grace & Broad Residence Center
Residence hall Modern residence center with suite and apartment options on West Grace Street
1000 W Grace Street
West Grace Street Housing
Apartment Apartment-style housing with full kitchens for upperclassmen on West Grace Street
West Grace St
Johnson Hall
Residence hall Traditional-style residence hall with shared rooms and community bathrooms
801 W Franklin StGet around
Shuttles, parking and accessible rides.
Transit
GRTC Pulse Bus
Transit Free city bus service for VCU students with ID on all GRTC routes including the Pulse rapid transit line
Richmond, VA Transit
GRTC Transit (Free for VCU)
Transit All VCU students and employees ride free on GRTC Pulse Bus Rapid Transit, local, and express routes
Richmond, VA Transit
RamSafe Open now
Transit Free late-night shuttle service providing safe rides across VCU campus and surrounding areas
Richmond, VA Biking
RamBikes
Biking Free bicycle rental and repair shop for VCU students with tools and maintenance workshops
Richmond, VA Transit
RamRide Shuttle
Transit Free shuttle service connecting Monroe Park and MCV campuses during weekdays
Safety transport
RamSafe Night Escort
Safety transport Free nighttime escort and ride service for VCU students within campus boundaries
Parking
VCU Parking & Transportation
Parking Manages parking permits, campus lots, garages, and alternative transportation options
1108 A West Broad Street
VCU Bike Share
Cycling Bike share stations across the Monroe Park and MCV campuses for quick rides
Majors that pay most at VCU
Typical pay 4 years after graduating. Top 6 of 46 bachelor's majors with published pay.
Computer Science $118,521
Computer Engineering $118,273
Electrical Engineering $107,487
Chemical Engineering $97,781
Mechanical Engineering $88,410
Information Science/Studies $87,219
Source: College Scorecard, field-of-study data.
Your VCU checklist
5 things worth doing early
When you need help
5 things VCU freshmen wish they knew sooner
1 Appeal a grade? It can only go up
"The dean shall form a grade review committee and designate the chair. The committee has the option of either raising the grade or leaving the grade unchanged." "For grades awarded for the fall semester, the written intent to appeal must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days after the beginning of the spring semester."
2 Your prof cannot add you to a class
"Students may attend only those classes for which they have registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters. If students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must stop attending."
3 Waiver denied? New proof will not help
"Once a petition is voted upon, if denied, it cannot be brought back for future vote even if new documentation is found." "Since a request to waive a regulation is itself an appeal, committee decisions are final, and there is no further appeal within the university."
4 Public domain? You still have to cite
"Plagiarism can include the uncited use of someone else’s words, ideas, facts, opinions, theories, illustrations, tables, figures, text, images, source code, and/or other intellectual work, even if the material is located in the public domain and can be freely shared."
5 Record the lecture — Gus makes the notes, flashcards and quiz
Gus is an AI college companion built around your actual classes. Record a lecture and it writes the notes, pulls out the key topics, builds a flashcard deck, and makes a practice quiz from what was actually said. The flashcards come back on a spaced-review schedule, so the thing you missed shows up again right before you would have forgotten it. It is free to try.
One more thing
Reading Day: no tests and no work due
"No classes or exams are held on Reading Day" ... "Faculty may not give an examination or an assignment on those days."
VCU Provost — syllabus information for studentsNo pledge signed? The honor code still applies
"Neither the presence nor the absence of a signed pledge statement shall exempt a student from the requirements of the Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct."
VCU Honor System — honor pledgeGus is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University. Tips checked against VCU's own pages in October 2026. Campus info last updated September 2026. Stats from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Something out of date? hello@meetgus.app · All campus guides