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William & Mary vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

William & Mary is a public university in Williamsburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institute in Blacksburg, VA. William & Mary admits about 34% of applicants and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University about 55%, making William & Mary the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,096 a year at William & Mary after aid, and about $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. About 90% of students graduate at William & Mary, compared with 86% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ten years after enrolling, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University alumni earn a median of about $81,698, against $73,490 for William & Mary.

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William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Williamsburg, VA
Blacksburg, VA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
7,055
30,923
Acceptance rate
34%
55%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1400–1530
1280–1450
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
28–32
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,096
$24,953
Full cost / yr
$43,035
$36,951
In-state tuition
$25,914
$15,948
Out-of-state tuition
$51,038
$37,764
Application fee
$75
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$3,106
$11,689
$30k - $48k
$881
$11,670
$48k - $75k
$5,916
$17,894
$75k - $110k
$16,803
$25,835
Over $110k
$34,370
$34,201
Outcomes
Graduation rate
90%
86%
Freshman retention
95%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,959
$67,377
Median earnings (10 yr)
$73,490
$81,698
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
12%
15%
First-generation students
13%
18%
International students
3%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 15

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 William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University harder to get into?
William & Mary is harder to get into. It admits about 34% 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, William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
William & Mary is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,096 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 William & Mary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Before aid, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University costs about $36,951 a year and William & Mary about $43,035. 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, William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
William & Mary. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,106 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, William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the larger of the two, with about 30,923 undergraduates against 7,055 at William & Mary.
Does William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have a better graduation rate?
William & Mary has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 86% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Do graduates of William & Mary or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn more?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $81,698 ten years after enrolling, against about $73,490 for William & Mary. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do William & Mary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University require SAT or ACT scores?
William & Mary is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do William & Mary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1400–1530 at William & Mary and 1280–1450 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school