Virginia University of Lynchburg: $9,248 Tuition

$9,248Tuition

170Students

26%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$28,396Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearUSCAAData: 2023-24HBCUBaptist

About Virginia University of Lynchburg

Virginia University of Lynchburg is a small historically black Baptist university that serves just 170 students in a close-knit environment. The school draws heavily from its local community, with men making up 90% of the student body and Black students comprising 91% of enrollment. Founded in 1886, this HBCU operates on a semester system and maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that allows for personal attention from professors.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $18,184 after aid, with 79% receiving some form of financial assistance. However, graduates earn a median of just $28,396 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $24,250. The monthly loan payment of $257 represents a significant portion of the $37,460 median salary earned five years post-graduation. Only 11% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule.

The Dragons compete in four varsity sports through the USCAA, with 126 total athletes receiving $170,251 in athletic scholarships. While 93% of graduates find employment, the 26% six-year graduation rate signals that many students struggle to complete their degrees. The 75% retention rate shows that three-quarters of freshmen return for sophomore year, but finishing remains a challenge at this small Baptist institution.

Academics & Faculty

Virginia University of Lynchburg operates as a small historically black university with just 170 students, creating an intimate academic environment where the 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name. The school focuses on undergraduate education with strong programs in business, criminal justice, and religious studies that reflect its Baptist heritage dating back to 1886. However, the 26% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face significant academic or financial challenges despite the close-knit support system. The university serves primarily African American men (90% of students are male, 91% are Black), offering a unique educational experience for students seeking a tight community atmosphere but requiring strong self-motivation to succeed academically.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 22.7%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 58.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 26.1%
Retention Rate: 75.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $28,396
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.	Bachelor	$21,964

View all 13 programs →

Campus Life

Virginia University of Lynchburg sits in a small city about 180 miles southwest of Washington D.C., where you'll need both winter coats and sunscreen depending on the season. With only 170 students total and housing capacity for 170, nearly everyone lives on campus, creating an extremely tight-knit community where you'll know most of your classmates by name. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors will notice if you skip class.

As a historically black university founded in 1886, VUL maintains strong Baptist roots and traditions that shape campus life. With 90% of students being male and 91% being Black, this creates a unique brotherhood atmosphere. Weekend activities center around the four varsity sports teams (126 total athletes means nearly three-quarters of students play a sport), church activities, and community service projects in Lynchburg. The Dragons compete in USCAA athletics, and games become major social events when most of the student body shows up to cheer. Students often describe the campus as feeling like an extended family where everyone looks out for each other.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 170 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1886

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 24°–46°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 43.6"
Annual Snowfall: 12.4"

Student Demographics

Virginia University of Lynchburg serves a unique student body of 170 students who are overwhelmingly male (90%) and predominantly Black (91%). As a historically Black university founded in 1886, the school maintains its mission of providing educational opportunities to African American students. Most students come from out of state, suggesting the university draws students from across the country who value its HBCU tradition. The heavily male enrollment likely reflects the school's focus on programs that historically attract men, while the high percentage of Pell Grant recipients shows the university serves students from working-class families.

Men: 90.0%
Women: 10.0%
White: 0.6%
Black: 90.6%
Hispanic: 0.6%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 40.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 78.5%

Location

Virginia University of Lynchburg sits in Lynchburg, Virginia, a small city of about 80,000 people in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus is roughly 180 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 115 miles west of Richmond. Lynchburg has a rich Civil War history and serves as a regional center for central Virginia, with several other colleges nearby including Liberty University. The city offers a mix of historic downtown areas and modern amenities, with outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding mountains. The 40.74% in-state enrollment shows many students come from across Virginia to attend this small Baptist institution. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Virginia University of Lynchburg with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lynchburg, Virginia 24501

Main Building, Virginia Theological Seminary and College

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $28,396
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,460
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $19,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 10.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $257/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $24,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition at Virginia University of Lynchburg?

The university enrolls just 170 students with a heavily male population at 90% men and 10% women. As a historically black university founded in 1886, the student body is 90.59% Black with a strong Baptist tradition shaping campus culture.

How much does Virginia University of Lynchburg cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $18,184 annually with 78.53% receiving financial aid. The low sticker price of $9,248 for tuition makes this HBCU accessible, though graduates carry a median debt of $24,250.

What are the class sizes like at Virginia University of Lynchburg?

The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, ensuring small classes and personal attention in this intimate academic environment. With only 170 total students, the Dragons compete in USCAA athletics with 126 student-athletes participating across 4 varsity sports.

What do graduates earn after attending Virginia University of Lynchburg?

Alumni earn a median salary of $28,396 ten years after graduation with a 93.2% employment rate. The 26.10% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges, but those who complete their degrees find steady work in their communities.

Where do students live at Virginia University of Lynchburg?

The campus housing capacity matches total enrollment at 170 students, creating a tight-knit residential community in small-city Lynchburg. Room and board costs $9,400 annually, contributing to the total attendance cost of $19,448.

Is Virginia University of Lynchburg focused on athletics?

The Dragons dedicate significant resources to sports with $170,251 in athletic scholarships supporting 126 student-athletes. With 74% of the student body participating in athletics across 4 varsity sports, this small HBCU punches above its weight in competitive sports.