Students at Virginia Tech achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the university among the top 5% of public institutions nationwide for financial outcomes.
The combination of selective academics, strong industry partnerships, and focus on high-demand technical fields creates outstanding career advantages for graduates.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks among the top 5% of public four-year institutions nationwide for long-term earnings outcomes, reflecting its exceptional strength in engineering, technology, and applied sciences. As a highly selective research university, Virginia Tech combines academic rigor with outstanding career preparation, producing graduates who earn a median of $81,698 ten years after enrollment—well above typical public university outcomes.
What distinguishes Virginia Tech is its ability to consistently deliver exceptional financial returns across its technical programs. The university's focus on engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics creates a pipeline to high-paying careers in technology, aerospace, manufacturing, and emerging fields like artificial intelligence. With strong industry partnerships and a reputation for producing job-ready graduates, Virginia Tech students enter the workforce with significant advantages in competitive STEM markets.
As Virginia's premier technological university, Virginia Tech offers the academic prestige of a top-tier research institution while maintaining the practical focus that employers value. The combination of selective admissions, rigorous academics, and exceptional career outcomes makes it a standout choice for students seeking both intellectual challenge and strong financial returns in technical fields.
Virginia Tech's program portfolio demonstrates exceptional strength across technical and applied fields, with artificial intelligence leading in median earnings at $88,678 for 311 graduates. Mechanical Engineering represents the university's largest technical program with 407 graduates earning $70,163, while Actuarial Science combines solid enrollment with strong pay at $70,680, creating the highest aggregate return among all programs.
The university's engineering programs consistently deliver strong early-career outcomes, with mechanical engineering graduates entering well-established industries including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Computer science and artificial intelligence programs position graduates advantageously in rapidly growing technology markets, where Virginia Tech's reputation opens doors to leading employers and competitive starting salaries.
Virginia Tech's technical focus creates particularly strong outcomes in high-demand fields. The university's emphasis on engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics aligns with labor market trends favoring quantitative and technical skills. With substantial enrollment across multiple engineering disciplines and emerging fields like artificial intelligence, Virginia Tech maintains both depth and breadth in preparing students for lucrative STEM careers that continue growing in economic importance.
Virginia Tech delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes for its graduates. Ten years after enrollment, students earn a median of $81,698, placing the university in the top 5% nationally for earnings performance. This strong earning power reflects the university's concentration in high-demand technical fields and its reputation among employers in engineering, technology, and applied sciences sectors.
The university's program portfolio drives these outstanding results. Artificial Intelligence graduates lead with median earnings of $88,678, while Mechanical Engineering—the largest program with 407 graduates—produces median earnings of $70,163. Actuarial Science, combining strong enrollment with solid pay at $70,680, represents the highest aggregate return program. Even across Virginia Tech's diverse offerings, the emphasis on quantitative, technical, and applied disciplines ensures that most graduates enter well-compensated career paths with strong upward mobility potential.
Virginia Tech's engineering and technology focus creates particularly strong outcomes in growing sectors. The university's reputation in artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and related STEM fields positions graduates advantageously as these industries continue expanding. With over 11,400 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, Virginia Tech demonstrates consistent ability to prepare students for high-earning careers across multiple technical disciplines.
Virginia Tech's affordability varies significantly by family income, with the university providing strong value for students who can manage the upfront investment. Low-income students pay approximately $13,536 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a selective research university, while middle-income families face costs around $19,660 per year. Higher-income families pay about $30,568 annually, reflecting the university's position as a premium public institution.
Debt levels at Virginia Tech are moderate but manageable given the strong earning outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $21,500 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $30,555. These amounts, while substantial, remain proportionate to the earning power Virginia Tech graduates achieve. The university's 0% federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes Virginia Tech's costs sustainable is the strong return on investment. With median earnings approaching $82,000 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building wealth over time. The combination of selective academics, strong industry connections, and exceptional career outcomes justifies the investment for families seeking long-term financial security through technical education.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
