Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is a public research university in Blacksburg, Virginia, enrolling about 30,923 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 54.78% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $81,698 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,948
- 2024 Average Net Price: $24,953 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 54.78% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 30,923 97.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 86.22%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 17.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 6.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 17.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 98.7%
- Average SAT Score: 1364
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,211
- Applicants (IPEDS): 47,208
- Room & Board: $16,550 annual estimate
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located in Blacksburg, VA (ZIP 24061-0131).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University public or private?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a Public institution.
How much does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University cost?
Published tuition: $15,948 in-state, $37,764 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $24,953.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,689 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,670 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,894 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $25,835 |
| $110,001+ | $34,201 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $63,792.
How hard is it to get into Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Admission rate: 54.78%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1364 and midpoint ACT 29.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Total enrollment: 30,923 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 32,211 students.
Graduate enrollment: 7,822 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
150%-time completion rate: 86.22%.
First-year retention: 93.1%.
What do graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn?
Median earnings: $67,377 six years after entry; $81,698 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
15.29% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (794 completions)
- Management Science (542 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (447 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (354 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (340 completions)
- Finance, General (330 completions)
- Computer Engineering, General (325 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (320 completions)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General (296 completions)
- Industrial Engineering (296 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 54.78%; completion rate 86.22%; median earnings $81,698 at 10 years; net price $24,953. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$15,948
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was $15,948.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$24,953
2024 Value
In 2024 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $24,953.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$99,812 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$24,953 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$63,792 4-Year In-State Tuition
$151,056 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,550 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$2,678 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$35,176 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$140,704 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
15.29% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
33.62% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $11,455 | $27,211 | $19,993 |
| 2014 | $12,017 | $28,048 | $19,691 |
| 2015 | $12,485 | $29,129 | $20,172 |
| 2016 | $12,852 | $29,975 | $19,413 |
| 2017 | $13,230 | $31,014 | $20,343 |
| 2018 | $13,620 | $31,908 | $20,964 |
| 2019 | $13,691 | $32,835 | $21,198 |
| 2020 | $13,749 | $32,893 | $21,301 |
| 2021 | $14,174 | $33,857 | $20,927 |
| 2022 | $14,586 | $34,838 | $20,292 |
| 2023 | $15,478 | $36,694 | $23,790 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
54.78% Acceptance Rate
47,208 Total Applicants
26,923 Students Admitted
7,196 First-Time Students Enrolled
26.73% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1364
ACT Average: 29
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reported total enrollment of about 30,923 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 57% male and 43% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (57.2%), Asian (13.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (9.8%). About 15.29% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 17.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2024 is 30,923 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 32,211 students. Graduate enrollment is about 7,822 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
93.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 57.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
69.11% 100% Completion Time
86.22% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 69.11% of students graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 79% male / 21% female
- Management Science: 68% male / 32% female
- Mechanical Engineering: 83% male / 17% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$81,698 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
26.32% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
718.52% Return on Investment
2.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 154 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 794 completions
2. Management Science: 542 completions
3. Mechanical Engineering: 447 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 354 completions
5. Civil Engineering, General: 340 completions
6. Finance, General: 330 completions
7. Computer Engineering, General: 325 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 320 completions
9. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General: 296 completions
Most popular programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 98.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,162
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,632
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution located in Blacksburg, VA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer and Information Sciences, General, Management Science, Mechanical Engineering. Enrollment is approximately 30,923 students. Student body composition includes White (57.2%), Asian (13.7%), Hispanic or Latino (9.8%). The admission rate is 54.78%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1364. The 150%-time completion rate is 86.22%. Approximately 15.29% of students receive Pell Grants. About 17.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 86.22% graduation rate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates report median earnings of $81,698 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 154 distinct degree programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Virginia Tech located?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located in Blacksburg, VA. The institution is also known as Virginia Tech.
What is Virginia Tech's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is 54.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 47,208 applicants and 26,923 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Virginia Tech cost?
Reported tuition is $15,948 and average net price is $24,953 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,550 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Virginia Tech?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 32,211 students, White (57.2%), Asian (13.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Virginia Tech?
About 17.8% of students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reports midpoint SAT about 1364 and midpoint ACT about 29.
What do graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn?
Median earnings are $67,377 six years after entry and $81,698 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 86.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University public or private?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution located in Blacksburg, VA.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University an HBCU?
No. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University a tribal college?
No. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college profile
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs George Mason University
- Blacksburg, Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs George Mason University
- Blacksburg, Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.