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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students typically score between 1240 and 1570 on the SAT, with a median of 1337. SAT Math scores range from 620 to 720, while SAT Verbal scores span 620 to 700, indicating balanced strength across both sections. ACT scores for admitted students range from 27 to 32, with a median of 29. These test score ranges place Virginia Tech among the highest we track nationally, with SAT performance at the 98.0th percentile and ACT performance at the 97.0th percentile. The peer median SAT score of 1198 demonstrates that Virginia Tech attracts significantly stronger students academically, with admitted students scoring 139 points higher than typical for similar public research universities. Most admitted students score between 1240 and 1420 on the SAT, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students fall within this range. Students scoring below 1240 face competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded, while those scoring above 1420 represent the top quartile of Virginia Tech's incoming class. The 25th percentile represents the bottom quarter of enrolled students, not admission minimums, and students outside these ranges are admitted in smaller numbers. Prospective students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Virginia Tech enrolls 15.0% Pell-eligible students and 17.8% first-generation students, indicating a student body that includes students from diverse economic backgrounds alongside those from more privileged families. The 13.5% transfer student share shows that Virginia Tech accepts a moderate number of transfer students, though the majority of the student body enters as first-time freshmen. These enrollment patterns suggest that while Virginia Tech attracts students from various backgrounds, the relatively lower Pell and first-generation shares compared to less selective public universities reflect the institution's competitive admission standards. The combination of moderate selectivity with these demographic patterns indicates that Virginia Tech serves a mix of in-state and out-of-state students, with particular appeal to families prioritizing strong career outcomes in STEM fields. First-generation students should note that 17.8% of enrolled students share their background, providing a meaningful community of peers navigating college as the first in their families. Students from lower-income families should consider the 15.0% Pell share when assessing whether they'll find peers with similar financial circumstances at Virginia Tech.
Given Virginia Tech's 57% acceptance rate and competitive test score ranges, many qualified applicants will need backup options. The schools below provide alternative pathways to similar career outcomes.
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91.8% of Virginia Tech freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median retention rate of 83.7%, indicating strong institutional support for student success. 86.3% graduate within six years, substantially higher than the peer median completion rate of 65.9%. Pell-eligible students graduate at 79.2%, creating a 7.1 percentage point gap compared to overall completion rates. This gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students but remains smaller than gaps observed at many selective institutions. The strong retention and completion rates suggest that students who gain admission to Virginia Tech typically find the academic environment supportive and engaging. The university's emphasis on STEM fields, combined with strong career services and alumni networks, contributes to high persistence rates across student populations. Students who gain admission can expect comprehensive support systems designed to facilitate degree completion, though lower-income students should be aware of the modest completion gap. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they'll experience if admitted to Virginia Tech.
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