Living up to its motto “Greater Happens Here,” Virginia State University is working its way to becoming one of the top HBCUs in the country. In the latest of the U.S. News & World Report rankings for HBCUs, Virginia State made it into the top 20, making this its highest ranking ever.

In addition, Virginia State also made the top 50 list for best southern regional colleges as well as the top 30 for best value for tuition of a southern university. In a statement obtained by The Petersburg Progress-Index, Virginia State said that the recent rankings represent “a significant milestone for the university and its commitment to being one of the nation’s premiere HBCUs.”

Last year Virginia State ranked 33rd amongst the 77 public and private HBCUs ranked, but this year the Petersburg university ranked 11th, tying with Bowie State University. As far as the regional rankings for southern universities, Virginia State ranked 42nd, tying with Southern Adventist University in Tennessee. A 15-spot increase from the 2025 rankings. Other rankings include the 20th best public college in the South and 28th among the best college values. Virginia State President Dr. Makola Abdullah gave a statement on the university’s recent accomplishment.

“The rise in our numbers reflects the progress we already knew was happening on our campus,” VSU President Dr. Makola Abdullah said in the VSU statement. “Since rankings can shift over time, we cannot use rankings as our standard. Our true focus remains on being the best place for our students to learn, grow, and find their greater.”

The basic criteria for an HBCU to make the list include being a regionally accredited HBCU and enrolling first-year students in four-year bachelor’s programs, in addition to other criteria. To accurately rank the institutions, U.S. News takes into consideration several factors, such as education quality, graduation and retention rates, financial resources, faculty research and resources, and other related factors.

Virginia is home to five HBCUs, all found in the southern region of Virginia. On the list Hampton University ranked seventh, Norfolk State University ranked 26th, and Virginia Union University ranked 43rd. Virginia University of Lynchburg did not rank.

Spelman College, Howard University, and Morehouse College hold the top three spots on the list.