There is a public university in Petersburg, VA called Virginia State University. Virginia State University occupies a total area of about 236 acres. In 1882, Virginia State University was founded. Keeping the pursuit of research, innovation, and excellence at the center, Virginia State University has been imparting quality education to its students. The motto of the varsity is "A Transformative Experience" and its official colors are orange and blue. The total enrolment stands at 4,713 (Fall 2017) students at Virginia State University. Around 4,025 and 340 students take admission in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses of the university. To teach various courses to the students, the school has employed a total of 300 faculty. Virginia State University is home to an ethnically diverse student body. At VSU around 93% are Black or African American, 3% are white, and 2% belong to an unknown race or ethnicity. Further, around 92% of the students are 24 and under. When it comes to gender distribution at the varsity, around 58% of the students are females and 42% are males. The college has produced several achievers in its 138 years of existence and some of the notable alumni are Gaye Adegbalola (Guitarist, Singer), Mary Hatwood Futrell (Educator), Billy Taylor (Jazz Pianist, Jazz Composer), and Lauren Koslow (Actor). The school believes in the all-round growth of the students and, hence encourages students to take part in several sporting activities, conducted inside the campus. Students taking admission here will notice that the university boasts of a decent sports infrastructure. A total of 132 programs are currently offered by the varsity to the students. It includes both the residential as well as online programs. The university also has a long list of accreditations. It has been accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.), ATMAE (Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering), and CSWE (Council on Social Work Education). Virginia State University has around $57 million (2019) in endowment.
