Virginia State University ranked #11 in the country in U.S. 
News & World Report's 2026 rankings of the top Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities, climbing 12 spots from its 
2025 ranking of #23. This was the largest increase of all 
HBCUs featured on the list, marking a significant milestone 
for VSU and its commitment to being one of the nation's 
premier HBCUs. 
Virginia State University received the largest gift in its 
143-year history. VSU was gifted $50 million from author 
and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to expand its efforts to 
transform lives through education and continue the 
mission outlined in the University's strategic plan. 
Virginia State University achieved a Carnegie R2 Research 
Designation as a result of its significant growth in research 
and graduate education. The designation places VSU 
among a select group of universities nationwide classified 
as “Doctoral/Professional Universities with High Research 
Activity.” Only 139 institutions and fewer than 15 HBCUs 
qualify for R2 status.
Virginia State University opened the Alfred W. Harris 
Academic Commons, the largest and most transformative 
facility in the University's history. The 175,000-square-foot 
facility serves as the new home for the College of Human-
ities and Social Sciences and the College of Education, 
while also symbolizing the University's continued progress 
and growth. 
Virginia State University broke ground on a new, 
state-of-the-art residence hall that will significantly   
expand the University's on-campus housing capacity. The 
110,000-square-foot facility will open in Spring 2026 and 
add 454 beds to VSU's housing portfolio.
Virginia State University launched the world's first HBCU 
Studies course in Family and Consumer Sciences, starting 
in Fall 2025. The new course explores factors related to the 
family experience at Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and builds on the University's previous 
groundbreaking achievement of offering the first-ever 
HBCU History course.
2025 VSU POINTS OF PRIDE
Virginia State University stands as one of Virginia’s two distinguished land-grant institutions and proudly maintains 
full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. At VSU, we don’t just 
educate students, we cultivate innovators, changemakers, and global leaders who are deeply engaged in their 
learning and committed to uplifting their communities.
As we continue to rise, here are a few of our 2025 VSU Points of Pride that showcase the power, progress, and impact 
of our Trojan Nation.
 To donate, visit giving.VSU.edu

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