Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$24,953
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
86.2%
Admission rate
55%
Undergrad size
30,923
In-state tuition
$15,948
Out-of-state tuition
$37,764
Cost of attendance
$36,951
Median earnings (10y)
$81,698
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,364
- ACT midpoint
- 29
- Retention
- 93.1%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
23 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (42%), business (22%), social sciences (18%).
- STEM42%
- Health1%
- Business22%
- Humanities & arts13%
- Social sciences18%
- Trades & services4%
- Business22.2%~6,871 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Engineering20.2%~6,253 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~2,632 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences7.8%~2,400 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Computer science6.7%~2,063 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,821 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Agriculture4.2%~1,283 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Psychology3.3%~1,020 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication3.2%~993 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~884 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~717 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~686 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~631 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Architecture1.9%~603 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~417 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Mathematics1.2%~371 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.0%~322 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~275 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~238 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~192 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- History0.5%~155 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech0.2%~68 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education0.1%~28 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor's | 930 | $67,610 | $21,700 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 892 | $82,448 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 661 | $68,574 | $23,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 653 | $59,846 | $22,500 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 565 | $22,263 | $20,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 513 | $23,946 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 483 | $26,171 | $22,151 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 468 | $49,648 | $22,500 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 446 | $63,758 | $25,760 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 444 | $36,639 | $20,613 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | Bachelor's | 444 | $66,226 | $26,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor's | 431 | $70,925 | $22,870 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor's | 420 | $19,929 | $23,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 420 | $35,639 | $22,859 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 418 | $28,797 | $21,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 417 | $75,104 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 414 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 405 | $49,620 | $22,535 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 385 | $38,529 | $24,250 |
| Data Science. | Bachelor's | 347 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other. | Master's | 327 | $97,383 | — |
| Animal Sciences. | Bachelor's | 326 | $27,809 | $22,631 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 304 | $60,629 | $18,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor's | 268 | $39,039 | $21,500 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 266 | — | $30,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 266 | $105,287 | — |
| Veterinary Medicine. | First professional | 240 | — | — |
| Real Estate. | Bachelor's | 224 | — | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 215 | $73,162 | $25,849 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor's | 214 | $69,047 | $27,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor's | 203 | $31,684 | $24,125 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Graduate certificate | 191 | — | — |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Master's | 188 | $55,619 | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 180 | $43,249 | $22,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services. | Bachelor's | 173 | $44,837 | $22,875 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master's | 170 | $70,394 | — |
| Forestry. | Bachelor's | 168 | $38,479 | $20,919 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 165 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 163 | $25,442 | $21,625 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 159 | $72,805 | $25,350 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a very large institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 30,923 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Engineering, Biological sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $24,953 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $15,948 for in-state students and $37,764 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $36,951 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 86.2%, a strong completion outcome. 93.1% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $81,698 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University confers degrees and certificates across 23 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Engineering, Biological sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (42% of credentials), business (22% of credentials), social sciences (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts 55% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,364. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 29.
Location & campus
Set in Blacksburg, Virginia (city), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University draws students from across Virginia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Q.How much does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University cost?
The average net price at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is $24,953 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $36,951.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 86.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University admits 55% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduate earns $81,698 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Published tuition is $15,948 in-state and $37,764 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located in Blacksburg, Virginia (ZIP 24061).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University at their official website.