Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
A good fit for students who want a major research university experience and in-state Virginia residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $67,100 within 10 years; strong 86% graduation rate.
About This School
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia with approximately 30,923 undergraduate students enrolled. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 55%. The average net price after financial aid is $24,953 per year. The graduation rate is 86%, and the typical graduate earns $67,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly referred to as Virginia Tech (VT), is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. It was founded as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1872.
This is a strong option for students drawn to engineering, architecture, or agriculture at a large research university with serious career outcomes — grads report median earnings of $67,100 a decade out, which holds up well against the $19,000 median debt load. The 86% graduation rate and 92% freshman retention signal that students who enroll tend to stay and finish, which matters at a school of 30,000+ undergrads where it can be easy to fall through the cracks. At $23,790/year average net cost for a school of this caliber, the value proposition is genuinely hard to argue with for Virginia residents especially.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2023-24). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (30,923 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Common Data Set (2023-24).
Contact & Location
Address
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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