Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Virginia Tech admits approximately 57.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Virginia Tech in the moderately selective range, significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions but more competitive than typical public universities.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that Virginia Tech is notably more selective than similar public research universities, accepting 21 percentage points fewer applicants than peers. This selectivity level reflects Virginia Tech's strong academic reputation, particularly in engineering and technology fields, combined with its status as Virginia's premier technological university.

Students should approach Virginia Tech as a competitive option that requires solid academic credentials but remains accessible to well-prepared applicants. The moderate selectivity means that students with strong but not necessarily exceptional profiles have realistic chances of admission, though applicants should still build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates as backup options.

Virginia Tech's published cost of attendance reaches $32,040 per year, including $15,478 in in-state tuition, $36,694 for out-of-state students, $14,888 for room and board, and $2,620 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $23,790 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,250 annually.

Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $13,536 for families earning under $30,000 to $30,568 for families earning over $110,000. This $17,032 gap between lowest and highest income tiers reflects Virginia Tech's progressive aid structure that concentrates support toward lower-income families.

Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $15,590, Virginia Tech costs $8,200 more annually, reflecting higher costs typical of selective public research universities. The net price structure demonstrates that while sticker prices appear high, most families pay substantially less through need-based aid, work-study opportunities, and merit scholarships.

Virginia families benefit from in-state tuition rates, while out-of-state students face significantly higher costs that drive overall net price averages upward.

Virginia Tech graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $67,377 six years after enrollment to $75,717 at eight years and $81,698 at ten years, representing 21.3% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 4,938 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $21,155 more annually compared to the peer median, positioning Virginia Tech well above similar public research universities.

Earnings span from $53,415 at the 25th percentile to $113,356 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.1:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Low-income graduates earn $64,400, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds.

Approximately 23.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry across Virginia Tech's comprehensive program portfolio.

Virginia Tech offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Actuarial Science ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Virginia, producing 442 graduates with median earnings of $95,280 and a value score of 95.5.

Artificial Intelligence ranks #18 nationally and #2 in Virginia, graduating 311 students with median earnings of $116,372. Industrial Engineering ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 184 students with median earnings of $92,826.

Mechanical Engineering ranks #84 nationally and #2 in Virginia, with 407 graduates earning $85,281. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #43 nationally and #3 in Virginia, graduating 291 students with median earnings of $85,837.

Adult Development and Aging ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 227 students with median earnings of $48,423, demonstrating Virginia Tech's diverse program strengths beyond traditional engineering.