Admit rate has ranged 56%–70% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Virginia Tech is a powerhouse public university where Hokie pride runs deep—think spirited football games, a sprawling Blacksburg campus, and a fiercely loyal alumni network. Known for its top-tier engineering and architecture programs, the school balances rigorous academics with a vibrant, outdoorsy student culture. With a 55% acceptance rate and strong post-grad outcomes, it’s a magnet for STEM-focused students who want big-school energy without Ivy-level exclusivity.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
30,923
In-state tuition
$15,948
Out-of-state tuition
$37,764
Location
Blacksburg, VA (Blue Ridge Mountains)
Acceptance Rate
55%
Notable Programs
Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science
4-Year Graduation Rate
69%
6-Year Graduation Rate
86.6%
Post-Grad Employment Rate
63% full-time
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$81,698
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
86%
First-year retention
93%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
81%
Pell (lower-income) share
37%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$62,727
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$88,678
Computer Engineering$78,488
Chemical Engineering$73,272
Engineering Mechanics$71,575
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$70,863
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$70,680
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
10
Per 1,000 students
0.32
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
107
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
41.4"
Annual snow
11.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Future-scholar output
Science & engineering PhDstop 25 nationally
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.4%
Bottom → top quintile
48%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's acceptance rate is approximately 55% (Blacksburg, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Admitted students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University typically score 1280–1450 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University cost?
At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,953 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University enrolls approximately 30,923 undergraduate students.
Where is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located in Blacksburg, VA.
Admissions
Virginia Tech’s admissions process is selective but not cutthroat, with a 55% acceptance rate—making it accessible yet competitive, especially for in-demand majors like engineering. The middle 50% of admitted students boast SAT scores between 1280–1450 or ACT scores of 28–32, and 84% have a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Test scores are optional but recommended for competitive programs. Notably, the university prioritizes Virginia residents, with in-state applicants making up a significant portion of the admitted class.
Key stats: 55% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (varies by major), 43% of admits submitted SAT scores, 7% submitted ACT scores.
Deadlines: Regular decision due March 1.
Demographics: Strong in-state representation, with growing diversity in recent cohorts.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Industrial Engineering$70,628
Mechanical Engineering$70,163
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Virginia Tech’s academic identity is anchored in STEM, with 150+ majors—but it’s the engineering, architecture, and computer science programs that steal the spotlight. The curriculum leans hands-on: think lab-heavy courses, undergraduate research opportunities, and ‘weed-out’ classes designed to challenge first-years. The university’s four-year graduation rate is 69%, well above the national average for public schools.
Top programs: Engineering (notably mechanical and aerospace), Architecture, Computer Science, Business.
Notable quirks: ‘Weed-out’ courses in STEM majors; strong emphasis on interdisciplinary projects.
Faculty access: Research-focused professors, but introductory classes can be large.
Life at Virginia Tech is high-energy and communal, with a campus culture that revolves around football games, outdoor adventures (the Blue Ridge Mountains are minutes away), and a #1-ranked dining program. Students report feeling extremely safe (97% in Niche polls), and the school’s 700+ clubs range from professional societies to quirky groups like the ‘Chess Club with a Side of Espresso.’
Traditions: ‘Enter Sandman’ football entrances, Hokie Stone campus architecture, Ring Dance for juniors.
Social scene: Greek life is present but not dominant; tailgates and outdoor activities are huge.
Housing: Most freshmen live on campus, with themed housing for majors like engineering.
Virginia Tech graduates land jobs at solid rates, with 63% employed full-time post-graduation and another 17% pursuing advanced degrees. The university’s 86.6% six-year graduation rate outperforms most public peers, and alumni networks are particularly strong in tech, defense, and engineering sectors. Median earnings for graduates hover around $65K–$75K, though this varies widely by major.
Career support: Robust internship pipelines with companies like Boeing, NASA, and Deloitte.
Notable alumni: CEOs of companies like MoonPay and Aurora Flight Sciences.
Virginia Tech is a relative bargain for in-state students ($16,450 tuition), though out-of-state costs climb to $38,000+. About 39% of students receive financial aid, with the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after grants/scholarships) at $22,205. The university offers merit scholarships and Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., but competition for both is stiff.
Net price calculator: Estimates aid packages for prospective students.
Hidden costs: STEM lab fees can add up; housing in Blacksburg is affordable but limited.
Virginia Tech does big-school spirit better than almost anyone—its football games are legendary, its alumni network is fiercely loyal, and its Blacksburg campus feels like a self-contained college town. But what really sets it apart is the balance between top-tier STEM rigor and a collaborative, outdoorsy culture. Unlike cutthroat engineering schools, VT fosters camaraderie (think ‘Hokies help Hokies’ slogans) while still delivering elite outcomes in tech and design fields. It’s the rare school where you’ll find students building robots by day and hiking Cascade Falls by weekend.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University logo · sourceVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Campus Master Plan Update – Sasaki · sourceVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · sourceVirtual VT Visit | Virginia Tech · source
