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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institute in Blacksburg, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public university in Charlottesville, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University about 55%, making University of Virginia-Main Campus the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,565 a year at University of Virginia-Main Campus after aid, and about $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. About 95% of students graduate at University of Virginia-Main Campus, compared with 86% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ten years after enrolling, University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $86,863, against $81,698 for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Blacksburg, VA
Charlottesville, VA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
30,923
17,597
Acceptance rate
55%
17%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.49–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1280–1450
1410–1540
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
32–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,953
$21,565
Full cost / yr
$36,951
$39,926
In-state tuition
$15,948
$21,803
Out-of-state tuition
$37,764
$59,512
Application fee
$60
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,689
$8,174
$30k - $48k
$11,670
$9,696
$48k - $75k
$17,894
$13,283
$75k - $110k
$25,835
$20,822
Over $110k
$34,201
$35,402
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
95%
Freshman retention
93%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$67,377
$72,359
Median earnings (10 yr)
$81,698
$86,863
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
16%
First-generation students
18%
16%
International students
5%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Nov 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 5

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus harder to get into?
University of Virginia-Main Campus is harder to get into. It admits about 17% of applicants, compared with 55% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,565 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and University of Virginia-Main Campus?
Before aid, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University costs about $36,951 a year and University of Virginia-Main Campus about $39,926. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,174 there, against about $11,689 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the larger of the two, with about 30,923 undergraduates against 17,597 at University of Virginia-Main Campus.
Does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 86% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Do graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $86,863 ten years after enrolling, against about $81,698 for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and University of Virginia-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Virginia-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and University of Virginia-Main Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1280–1450 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and 1410–1540 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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