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Virginia State University is a public historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, adjacent to the city of Petersburg roughly 25 miles south of Richmond. Founded in 1882, VSU enrolls approximately 4,000 to 5,000 students and holds the distinction of being the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans in the United States. The university offers strong programs in agriculture, business, education, and STEM fields. Most off-campus students rent in Petersburg and the Ettrick area, where the rental market is significantly more affordable than the Richmond metro.
Virginia State University requires all first-year students to reside in university residence halls during their first academic year. Exceptions are generally limited to students who are married, have dependents, or are living with a parent or legal guardian within a defined commuting distance.
Sophomores who have completed their first year and upperclassmen are typically eligible to move off campus. The most accessible rental areas are in Petersburg and the Ettrick community directly adjacent to the VSU campus, where a range of houses and apartments are available at affordable prices.
Students should begin searching for off-campus housing in November or December to secure options for the following August. Petersburg's rental market moves more slowly than larger metro areas, but the most affordable and well-maintained units near campus still fill early in the calendar year.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Virginia State University before signing a lease.
Students who start their off-campus housing search in November or December typically access the best inventory in Petersburg and Ettrick. Starting early allows time to inspect properties, compare lease terms, and arrange roommates before the spring semester begins. VSU's campus is directly accessible from several neighborhoods in eastern Petersburg, making proximity a key factor worth evaluating early.
The busiest rental activity near VSU occurs from January through March, when returning students sign leases for the coming fall. Roommate groups of two to four should coordinate their search and budget during this window to avoid being left with limited options. Units closest to the Barnes Street entrance and along the Washington Street corridor near downtown Petersburg tend to lease first.
Students searching in April through June can still find apartments in Petersburg, as the market has more inventory relative to demand than many university towns. Listings on Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, and local property management company websites are updated frequently in this market. Reaching out to upperclassmen through VSU campus housing forums can also surface sublets and unit vacancies not widely advertised.
Bordering campus, the closest off-campus options, with houses and small apartment complexes within walking or biking distance.
Petersburg neighborhoods with affordable single-family rentals popular with upperclassmen and graduate students.
Undergoing revitalization, with apartment options within a few miles of campus. Petersburg is among the most affordable rental markets in Virginia.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, VSU requires all incoming first-year students to live in university residence halls. Exceptions exist for students who are married, have dependents, or commute from a parent's home within a defined radius.