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Valdosta State University - SAT Scores, Costs and Admissions Data

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Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University

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Valdosta State University Description:

Located in Southern Georgia, Valdosta State University's two campuses feature attractive Georgian and Spanish Mission style architecture. Valdosta State is a public university and part of the University System of Georgia. Valdosta students come from 46 states and over 60 countries, with 92 percent of students coming from Georgia. Valdosta values interaction between students and their professors -- the university has a 21 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 24. On the athletic front, the Valdosta State Blazers compete in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference. Football and men's tennis have both won national championships in recent years. During six weeks of the summer, VSU is home to the Georgia Governor's Honors Program for gifted high school students.

Admissions Data (2011):

Enrollment (2010):

  • Total Enrollment: 12,898 (10,794 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 41% Male / 59% Female
  • 88% Full-time

Costs (2011 - 12):

  • Tuition and Fees: $5,697 (in-state); $15,278 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,200 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $7,436
  • Other Expenses: $5,860
  • Total Cost: $20,193 (in-state); $29,774 (out-of-state)

Valdosta State University Financial Aid (2009 - 10):

  • Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 89%
  • Valdosta State Scholarships (Cappex.com)
  • Percentage of Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 73%
    • Loans: 63%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $6,138
    • Loans: $5,899

Most Popular Majors:

Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice Studies, Early Childhood Education, Marketing, Nursing, Psychology, Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates:

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 68%
  • Transfer Out Rate: 28%
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 17%
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 40%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

Valdosta State University Mission Statement:

mission statement from http://www.valdosta.edu/sra/documents/VSU_Mission.pdf

"Since 1913, Valdosta State University has been a major provider of educational services for South Georgia. The beauty and consistency of its Spanish Mission style of architecture are indicative of its dedication to serving the region's heritage while developing programs and services to enhance its future.

Within the context of the University System's mission and vision, Valdosta State University possesses the core characteristics of a regional university.

The core characteristics include:

  • a commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of a specific region of the state and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect even beyond the region;
  • a campus-wide commitment to a technologically-enhanced learning community that promotes student success, sustains instructional excellence, serves a diverse and well-prepared student body, offers academic assistance, and provides learning enrichment for all students;
  • a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary academic programming at the baccalaureate and master's levels, as well as a range of professional programs at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels, including a limited number of professionally oriented doctoral-level programs;
  • a commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the educational level within the university's scope of influence;
  • a commitment to scholarly and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to encourage faculty scholarly pursuits and a commitment to research in selected areas of institutional strength and focused on regional need.
As a regional university in South Georgia, Valdosta State cooperates with other University System institutions to ensure that the region receives the services it needs. To expand its programmatic outreach, it develops and offers programs by distance learning and at off-campus locations throughout the region. It will continue to exercise a leadership role in meeting the needs of the region, particularly in providing access to professionally oriented doctoral programs, primarily in education, and to applied research.

VSU prides itself on offering nationally accredited programs in Art, Business, Music, Nursing, Sports Medicine/Athletic Training, Speech-Language Pathology, School Psychology, Theatre, Public Administration, Social Work, and Teacher Education which have a magnet effect beyond the institution's primary setting. In its academic credit programming, VSU will place a priority on developing existing programs that aid the educational, economic, cultural, and social advancement of its region and new programs in health-related professions and public administration. The programs will continue to be supported by strong preparatory courses and majors in the humanities, sciences, and social studies. VSU also remains committed to pre-professional programs preparing its undergraduate students for medical, legal, technical, and other professional study."

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