By Mike Porter

Senior administrators at Virginia Commonwealth University shared an enrollment update and an overview of the university’s budget on April 9 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 tuition and fees. 

VCU senior leaders proposed options to address inflationary costs while investing in innovative academic programming and applied learning to further grow student success and the value of a VCU degree. Under the proposed budget, these investments and costs are addressed by ongoing budget realignments, anticipated funding from the state and enrollment revenue. 

Tuition and mandatory fee increases ranging from 0% to 3.5% for fiscal year 2025-26, consistent with the university’s Six-Year Plan, were presented. Visit this online presentation to see details about proposed tuition and fees.

Over the past five 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. As a result, VCU’s average net price has declined since 2019 for families earning under $110,000 per year and students have seen a 2% decrease in mean reported debt at graduation. This approach has maintained affordability while strategically reallocating resources to support academic priorities aimed at continued growth in the value of a VCU degree; preparing students for the future of work; and addressing mandatory salary, inflationary and military student waiver increases.

Public comment

The Board of Visitors invites members of the community to provide feedback on the proposed tuition and fees at the VCU FY26 Tuition & Fees Open Comment Portal. 

There will be a one-hour public comment period at the beginning of the full board meeting on May 9 at 8 a.m. prior to action on any proposed 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 the proposed tuition and fees on May 9, you should register by providing the following information via email to bov@vcu.edu: 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 May 9 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 hour period may provide written comment via the VCU FY26 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 May 5.

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