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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0131

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanSports culture

Top graduate earnings — known for engineering

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution in Blacksburg with particular strength in engineering and business. With an average SAT of 1337, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 30.4K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

86% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $81,698 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,790.

Established
1872
Motto
Ut Prosim
Mascot
HokieBird
Type
Public land-grant research senior military university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

2 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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57%Acceptance
1337SAT Avg
30,435Students
17:1Student:Faculty
86%Grad Rate
$81,698Earnings 10yr
$23,790Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate57.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1337

Reading & WritingMid: 650
620700
MathMid: 660
620720

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2732

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$15,478
Tuition (out-of-state)$36,694
Room & Board$14,888
Books & Supplies$2,620
Total Cost of Attendance$32,040
Average Net Price$23,790
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,536
$30–48K$14,891
$48–75K$19,660
$75–110K$26,533
$110K+$30,568

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

232

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

59

Burglary

12

Aggravated Assault

8

Robbery

20

Motor Vehicle Theft

24

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

61

Drug Arrests

46

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (260)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
30,435
Gender Split
43% / 57%
Women / Men
First Generation
18%
Pell Grant Recipients
15%

Race & Ethnicity

White 58%
Black 6%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 13%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate86.3%
Freshman Retention91.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$67,377
10 Years$81,698

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#51
vs 2024
Forbes
#82
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#28
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • First-year cadets and their training cadre re-enact Addison Caldwell's journey every year in the Caldwell March.
  • They complete the first half of the 26-mile march in the fall and the second half in the spring.
  • Since 1963, "Skipper", a replica of a Civil War cannon has been fired at football games by members of the Corps of Cadets when the team scores.
  • Harper and her white roommate received hate mail and threatening phone calls, but the resolution stood, and the display of the rebel flag ended in 1969.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

111High

Estimated from VA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
140 mi(243 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
141 mi(244 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
218 mi(378 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham130 mi
CLT Charlotte142 mi
RIC Richmond172 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
New York, NY420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
Hartford, CT518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Providence, RI575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
Albany, NY515 mi · ~14h 53m drive
Syracuse, NY461 mi · ~13h 19m drive
Rochester, NY436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Buffalo, NY399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
Philadelphia, PA341 mi · ~9h 51m drive
Pittsburgh, PA223 mi · ~6h 27m drive
Harrisburg, PA284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Newark, NJ414 mi · ~11h 58m drive
Washington, DC218 mi · ~6h 18m drive
Baltimore, MD251 mi · ~7h 15m drive
Atlanta, GA328 mi · ~9h 29m drive
Charlotte, NC140 mi · ~4h 3m drive
Raleigh, NC141 mi · ~4h 4m drive
Miami, FL792 mi · ~22h 53m drive
Orlando, FL603 mi · ~17h 25m drive
Tampa, FL652 mi · ~18h 50m drive
Nashville, TN360 mi · ~10h 24m drive
New Orleans, LA748 mi · ~21h 37m drive
Richmond, VA165 mi · ~4h 46m drive
Chicago, IL500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
Detroit, MI379 mi · ~10h 57m drive
Minneapolis, MN855 mi · ~24h 42m drive
St. Louis, MO541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Kansas City, MO779 mi · ~22h 30m drive
Indianapolis, IN356 mi · ~10h 17m drive
Columbus, OH234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Cleveland, OH303 mi · ~8h 45m drive
Milwaukee, WI563 mi · ~16h 16m drive
Dallas, TX975 mi · ~28h 10m drive
Houston, TX1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Austin, TX1103 mi · ~31h 52m drive
San Antonio, TX1172 mi · ~33h 51m drive
Los Angeles, CA2121 mi · ~61h 16m drive
San Francisco, CA2283 mi · ~65h 57m drive
San Diego, CA2090 mi · ~60h 23m drive
Seattle, WA2224 mi · ~64h 15m drive
Portland, OR2237 mi · ~64h 37m drive
Denver, CO1336 mi · ~38h 36m drive
Phoenix, AZ1794 mi · ~51h 50m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1698 mi · ~49h 3m drive
Honolulu, HI4670 mi · ~134h 55m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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