Valdosta State University
Valdosta, United States
- Cost of Living$ 19,104
- Tuition Fee From$ 20,958
- Country Rank#524
- Batch Strength12,416
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Valdosta State University (VSU) is a public university located in Valdosta, Georgia, United States. The university was founded in 1906 and is part of the University System of Georgia.
In the fall semester of 2022, 11,573 students were enrolled in its six colleges and 30 academic departments. Moreover, it has an acceptance rate of 78%. These six colleges and schools are:
- Colleges of the Arts
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education and Human Services
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- College of Science and Mathematics.
VSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in areas such as bussiness, education, nursing, the arts, and sciences. The university has a strong commitment to student success, with a variety of academic support services and extracurricular activities available to students. The university has 55 undergraduate programmes, 40 master’s degrees, six doctoral degrees, 14 certificates and five certifications. Valdosta State offers a plethora of minors, there are three MBA programmes and two online MBA programmes.
In addition to its academic programmes, VSU is known for its athletics programmes, particularly in football and basketball. The university competes in the NCAA Division II and is a member of the Gulf South Conference. It is recognised by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer associate, bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.
Ranking
Valdosta State University is a highly regarded private liberal arts university located in Georgia. According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings, it is ranked as the #395-435th-best in the National Universities list. In the year 2024, the same publication ranked the university highly. Valdosta was also placed #194 among Top Performers on Social Mobility. It maintained a position between #212-227 among Top Public Schools.
Given below are some of the prominent rankings for the university:
- #1448 - Best Colleges In Nation - College Factual 2024
- #37 - Best Colleges In Georgia - College Factual 2024
- #595 - Most Diverse Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #867 - Safest College Campuses in America - Niche 2024
- #2222 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #614 - In North America - EduRank 2024
- #560 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
Course wise rankings:
- #445 - For Social Work - EduRank 2024
- #568 - For Special Education - EduRank 2024
- #581 - For Early Childhood Education - EduRank 2024
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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Facilities
The VSU campus is split into two locations: the main campus and the north campus. The main campus comprises many academic and administrative departments and is known for the Spanish Mission architecture theme that pervades every building. The Valdosta campus is well-equipped with a variety of amenities and services. For overseas students, the university provides on-campus housing, a library, restaurants, and other amenities. It also has over 200 student groups, entertainment, and health services.
Residence facilities - The institution provides on-campus accommodation in the United States through 17 residence halls. Students can live in traditional-style, suit-style, or apartment-style lodging. Through the housing application portal, students can apply for on-campus accommodation. The residential halls here are Brown Hall, 2-bedroom Centennial Hall, 4-bedroom Centennial Hall, Georgia Hall, Semi-private Hopper Hall, Private Hopper Hall, and Traditional Peterson Hall. Approximately 90% of the enrolled students live on the campus itself.
Library - The Gertrude Gilmer Odum Library was constructed in 1971. It functions as the university’s main library. A 24-hour Internet Cafe, the GALILEO Technology Centre, electronic classrooms, an auditorium, an enlarged Media Center, climate-controlled Archives, latest study areas, and increased bookshelves are among the addition's distinguishing characteristics. The library has 453,757 bound books, about 3,000 current magazines and newspapers, and a microform collection with over a million units.
Cafeterias - There are mainly two dining halls on-campus which cater to students, staff and faculty’s nutritional needs. Blazer Sports Grille provides a buffet-style food experience. Special dietary concessions and requests can be made to meet the needs of student’s preference. It can seat up to 100 people and is located in the Hopper Hall on the main campus. Palms Meal Hall provides a buffet-style dining experience for more than 100 people and you can find it on the main campus, just a short walk from the dorms.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
Valdosta State University's acceptance rate is 89% in 2024. It is among the 38% of the most accessible universities to gain admission in the United States. Students eyeing this university must apply with apt scores and grades before the deadline.
The school had a high acceptance rate last year, admitting 76% of students in the 2021-2022 academic year. It, therefore, is categorised within the 51-100% highly accepting range. Its retention rate was 56%, with over half of full-time students from Fall 2020 returning in Fall 2021. The graduation rate for full-time, first-time students who started in Fall 2015 was 41%, though the first-time student population is typically low due to a majority being adult learners.
Valdosta State University Entry Requirements
Whether you're a first-time applicant to Valdosta State, an undergraduate student seeking advanced status, or a returning student re-enrolling after a break, the admissions standards are the same for all applicants. The university has no mandatory application fee payment for its first years or returning students. International students need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a minimum average scale of 4.0. Each applicant must provide the following:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
- Official Academic Transcripts of High School
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (69) or IELTS (6.0)
Graduate Admission Requirements
- Official Academic Transcripts of College
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- CAS statement
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (69) or IELTS (6.0)
- Test scores or GRE/ GMAT if asked by the university
- Resume or CV showing work experience
Valdosta State University Fees
The university has a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, their fee structure can be read below:
- Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] - USD 23,672 /Yr
- Bachelor Theatre (Theatre Production) - USD 20,958 /Yr
- Master of Science [M.S] Biology - USD 23,672 /Yr
- Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] Finance - USD 19,281 /Yr
- Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Nursing - USD 19,281 /Yr
- Bachelor of Science [B.S] Applied Mathematics - USD 19,281 /Yr
- Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Art Education - USD 19,281 /Yr
Placements
Every year, a number of well-known corporations come to the campus to conduct on-campus recruiting. Amli Residential, Langdale, Girls Incorporated, WestRock Company, University System of Georgia, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp, and Mohawk Industries are among the top employers that hire VSU alumni. The average starting wage for graduates is 36,600 USD.
Scholarship
The university offers scholarships and assistantships as financial aid to international students.
Undergraduate Scholarships: The undergraduate students may receive merit-based Scholarships based on a 3.0 GPA along with an essay. The students who are willing to receive this scholarship should submit the application by 15th March for the fall & summer semesters or by October 1st for the spring semesters.
Graduate Assistants: The student must be enrolled as a regular or probationary student to be eligible for a graduate assistant. Students are also required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to receive an Assistantship. The students may apply for graduate assistantships via the online application portal. The assistants are awarded a stipend ranging from $1,660 to $4,000 based on the type of GA position.
No matter what programme you’re in, this university and various organisations such as UniScholars offer several scholarship opportunities. These scholarships can help international students significantly reduce the cost of studying abroad. You can apply for scholarships to attend the university through UniScholars.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Valdosta State University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Valdosta State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Valdosta is a city in southern Georgia, United States. The economy of Valdosta is driven by a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, and transportation. Major employers in the area include South Georgia Medical Centre, Valdosta City Schools, and Moody Air Force Base. Students can visit its several attractions and points of interests, including the Valdosta Mall, the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum, and the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area. The city is also located near several state parks and recreational areas, such as Reed Bingham State Park and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. When it comes to living in this small city, students will need to consider the following expenses:
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$882 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$1,420 |
|
Transportation |
$123 |
|
Food Cost |
$398 |
|
Utility Cost |
$203 |
|
Entertainment |
$60 |
|
Groceries |
$40 |
|
Clothes |
$89 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
$1,875 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
$2,413 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$28,956 |