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University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

1,083 Students on Campus
St. Thomas Location
42,261 Metro Population
1,083 Students on Campus
St. Thomas Location
42,261 Metro Population

About This Campus

The Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas offers students the chance to study at a public, co-ed, land-grant HBCU in the U.S. Caribbean. Overlooking Brewers Bay, the campus provides direct access to coastal environments, warm weather year-round, and convenient travel—St. Thomas is about a three-hour flight from Miami.

UVI offers undergraduate programs across six colleges and schools. Its smaller enrollment creates an intimate academic setting where students work closely with faculty, participate in discussion-based classes, and receive personalized support. Experiential learning is emphasized, with opportunities for research in coral reef conservation, mangrove restoration, and other applied fields.

The 175-acre campus supports both residential and commuter students with modern labs, student services, athletic facilities, and strong local internship partnerships. The island’s cultural diversity and unique environment enrich study in marine science, business, education, and the humanities.

UVI has a low student-teacher ratio of 12:1, which creates a nurturing environment in which students can thrive.

The campus has an innovation center, sports and fitness facilities, a golf course, and a Marine Science Center and dock on Brewers Bay.

UVI’s six schools and colleges let students study Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Sci & Math, Agriculture, Business, Nursing, and Education

Helpful Information

  • Accepts up to 25 students per semester.

  • Applicants who select the away-tuition option receive priority consideration, provided they meet all acceptance requirements.

  • The Student Housing & Residential Life Office determines room assignments even when students request to be roommates.

  • Local transportation (safaris) is available during the day, however, transportation at night is challenging. We do not have rideshare options. Taxis are expensive.

  • The campus is small and hilly so be prepared to walk although we have a campus shuttle.

Location Information

The U.S. Virgin Islands lie about 1,100 miles southeast of Miami and 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. Travel to nearby islands which include St. John, Water Islands, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands are accessible by boat or plane. Temperatures range from the low 70s to around 90 degrees, moderated by constant easterly trade winds. UVI sits two miles from Charlotte Amalie. The island is 32 square miles and has a population of 46,000 people. The Orville E. Kean Campus overlooks John Brewers Bay Beach and includes the Herman E. Moore Golf Course, along with pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts for student use.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/18/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/05/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/02/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Nursing is a closed program

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Classes are limited for Education majors.

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

Students should ensure they have completed the prerequisite course requirements before registering for classes.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Marine Biology Program — The Marine Biology program offers an immersive, field-centered education where students study tropical marine ecosystems firsthand. Surrounded by the Caribbean’s reefs, mangroves, and coastal habitats, UVI provides a true living laboratory. Through the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES), students gain extensive hands-on experience, including SCUBA-based research, PADI-certified diving courses, and fieldwork involving reef surveys, underwater assessments, and environmental monitoring.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: No

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? -

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/25/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost: $2978
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 16.5
  • Host Payment: 16.5
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Activity Fee
$150
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Health Service Fee
$40
Term
Home
Mandatory
Accidental Health Insurance
$28
Term
Home
Mandatory
Technology Fee
$90
Term
Home
Mandatory
Housing Fee
$100
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Orientation Fee
$90
Term
Home
Mandatory
Registration Fee
$30
Term
Home
Mandatory

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/20/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? Yes
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 25
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $2250
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

UVI has five residential halls. West and East halls are suite style with 3 double bedrooms, one bathroom, and shared common space. Middle and North residence halls are primarily single rooms. West Residence Hall is our only fully air-conditioned facility. All other halls benefit from the refreshing Caribbean trade winds!

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2590
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

There are two dining plan options. Meal Plan A: ($3,690) Seven (7) day meal plan with three (3) meals per day Monday through Saturday and two (2) meals on Sunday; twenty meals weekly. Meal Plan B: ($2,590) Seven (7) day meal plan with two (2) meals per day Monday through Sunday; fourteen meals weekly.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: