Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, founded in 1872, is a public, comprehensive university. Students who want to learn in a high-technology environment choose Virginia Tech because it is not only the largest university in Virginia, but also the Commonwealth's top research university. Undergraduates are given an opportunity to make their own groundbreaking discoveries. A leading magazine recently ranked Virginia Tech fifth in the nation in terms of the best value for schools specializing in science and technical programs. Programs are offered through the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture and Urban Studies, Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Human Resources and Education, Natural Resources, and Veterinary Medicine. Tech also has been named one of the most wired colleges in the United States, both for its innovative use of technology in all classrooms, from English to philosophy, biology and engineering, and for providing free Internet and e-mail access to all its students. Its 2,600-acre campus is located in Blacksburg, 38 miles west of Roanoke.
Website: www.vt.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Moderately difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 65% of 31,936 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Regular Admission Deadline
- January 15
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 4.04
- SAT Math
- 590-710 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
- 590-680 range of middle 50%
- ACT Composite
- 25-31 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- In-state: $26,764
Out-of-state: $44,448 - Tuition and Fees
- In-state: $13,620
Out-of-state: $31,304 - Room and Board
- $8,934
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 55%
- Average Freshman Award
- $10,709
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $31,494
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 1,841
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 9% of classes
10-19 students: 20% of classes
20-29 students: 24% of classes
30-39 students: 18% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 14% of classes
Over 100 students: 8% of classes
Campus Life
- Blacksburg Population
- 42,627
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
-
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 33% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Hokie Bird
- Sororities
- 19% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 13% of men participate
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
10.6% Asian
4.5% Black/African-American
6.9% Hispanic/Latino
5.2% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
69.9% White
2.7% Unknown - International Students
- 6.6% from 86 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 63.5%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 60%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Moderately Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 3 | 4 |
Science | 2 | 3 |
Foreign Language | 3 | |
Social Studies | 1 | |
History | 1 | |
Academic Electives | 4 |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | Not reported |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Not used ACT: Not used |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- City, State, Zip
- Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Phone
- (540) 231-6267
- Fax
- (540) 231-3242
- admissions@vt.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- January 15
- Application Fee
- $60
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- April 1
- Accept Offer of Admission
- May 1
- Waiting List Used
- Yes
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Deadline
- November 1, December 15
- Early Decision Notification
- Not reported
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Not accepted
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Recommended for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- Other
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 65% of 31,936 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 71% of 13,060 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 61% of 18,876 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 7,412 (36%) of 20,709 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 3,030 (33%) of 9,233 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 3,853 (34%) of 11,476 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- 45% of 2,952 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- 6,920
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- 1,895
- Students Admitted From Wait List
- 545
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 4.04
- 3.75 and Above
- 78%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 14%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 5%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 2%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 1%
- 2.00 - 2.49
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 590-710 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 30%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 43%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 26%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 2%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- Not reported
- SAT EBRW
- 590-680 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 17%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 58%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 24%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 2%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 25-31 range of middle 50%
- Score of 30 - 36
- 34%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 51%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 14%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 1%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 38%
Top quarter: 77%
Top half: 97% - National Merit Scholar
- Not reported
- Valedictorian
- Not reported
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- In-state: $26,764
Out-of-state: $44,448 - Tuition and Fees
- In-state: $13,620
Out-of-state: $31,304 - Room and Board
- $8,934
- Books and Supplies
- $1,150
- Other Expenses
- $3,060
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline January 15
Final deadline January 15 - Award Notification
- On or about March 2
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal Methodology
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 003754 |
Free |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 5,211 (79.0%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 2,867 (54.7%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 2,669 (93.6%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 459 (19.6%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 55%
- Average Award
- $10,709
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 1,707 (71.1%) of aid recipients, average amount $7,785
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 1,941 (69.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,196
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 1,411 (56.1%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 880 (10.0%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $4,675
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 16,636 (64.7%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 11,042 (66.4%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 10,476 (95.6%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 1,693 (16.8%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 56%
- Average Award
- $10,980
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 7,594 (73.8%) of aid recipients, average amount $7,432
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 7,830 (73.6%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,828
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 3,768 (55.2%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 2,269 (8.9%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $3,696
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 48%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $31,494
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- Not reported
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- Not reported
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Available
- Other Loans
- College/university loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- None
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Library Science
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Applied Art and Design, Art/Fine Arts, Cinema/Film/Broadcasting, Creative Writing, Journalism/Publications, Music, Performing Arts, Theater/Drama
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Cheerleading/Drum Major, Community Service, Leadership, Memberships, Religious Involvement
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children of Faculty/Staff, First-Generation College Students, Local/State Students, Members of Minorities, Out-of-State Students, Twins
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- Not reported
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Accounting
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
- Agricultural Economics
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Animal Sciences, General
- Apparel and Textiles, General
- Architecture
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Business Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Civil Engineering, General
- Cognitive Science
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Science
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Construction Management
- Dairy Science
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- Economics, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
- Finance, General
- Food Science
- Food Science and Technology, Other
- Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
- Forestry, General
- French Language and Literature
- Geography
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- German Language and Literature
- History, General
- Horticultural Science
- Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
- Human Development and Family Studies, General
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial and Product Design
- Information Science/Studies
- Interior Design
- International Relations and Affairs
- International Relations and National Security Studies, Other
- International/Global Studies
- Landscape Architecture
- Management Science
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Meteorology
- Mining and Mineral Engineering
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Music, General
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
- Ocean Engineering
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Poultry Science
- Psychology, General
- Public Policy Analysis, General
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other
- Real Estate
- Russian Language and Literature
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Statistics, General
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Engineering, Business/marketing, Family and consumer sciences
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- None
- Special Programs
- Accelerated program, Cooperative work study program, Distance learning, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- Not reported
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 1,841
- Part-Time Faculty
- 415
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 73%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 9% of classes
10-19 students: 20% of classes
20-29 students: 24% of classes
30-39 students: 18% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 14% of classes
Over 100 students: 8% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: 8% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 21% of discussion sections/labs
20-29 students: 57% of discussion sections/labs
30-39 students: 9% of discussion sections/labs
40-49 students: 3% of discussion sections/labs
50-59 students: 2% of discussion sections/labs
Over 100 students: 0% of discussion sections/labs
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- Computer Ownership
- Students required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- Not Reported
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Science in Education, Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public Administration, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Public and International Affairs, Master of Architecture
Master's Programs of Study
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering
- Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Sciences--General
- Agronomy and Soil Sciences
- Animal Sciences
- Applied Economics
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Communication--General
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Counselor Education
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation
- Educational Policy
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- English
- Entomology
- Environmental Design
- Environmental Management and Policy
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Horticulture
- Humanities
- International Affairs
- Internet and Interactive Multimedia
- Landscape Architecture
- Nutrition
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Physiology
- Public Administration
- Public Affairs
- Social Sciences Education
- Urban Studies
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Vocational and Technical Education
- Writing
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering
- Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Sciences--General
- Agronomy and Soil Sciences
- Animal Sciences
- Applied Economics
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Communication--General
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Counselor Education
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation
- Educational Policy
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- English
- Entomology
- Environmental Design
- Environmental Management and Policy
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Horticulture
- Humanities
- International Affairs
- Internet and Interactive Multimedia
- Landscape Architecture
- Nutrition
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Physiology
- Public Administration
- Public Affairs
- Social Sciences Education
- Urban Studies
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Vocational and Technical Education
- Writing
Location and Setting
- Blacksburg Population
- 42,627
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Campus Size
- 2,600 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 25 average low in January, 82.6 average high in September
- Rain
- 119 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 8 mile(s) from campus in Christianburg
- Nearest Train Station
- 38 mile(s) from campus in Clifton Forge/Roanoke
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Men only housing, women only housing, coed housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 33% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 67%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Hokie Bird
- School Colors
- Burnt orange and chicago maroon
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | |||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Golf | x | x | ||
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | x | x |
Swimming And Diving | x | x | x | x |
Tennis | x | x | x | x |
Track And Field | x | x | x | x |
Ultimate Frisbee | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Golf | ||
Lacrosse | x | x |
Soccer | x | x |
Swimming And Diving | x | x |
Tennis | x | x |
Track And Field | x | x |
Ultimate Frisbee | x | |
Volleyball | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Golf | x | x |
Lacrosse | ||
Soccer | x | x |
Swimming And Diving | x | x |
Tennis | x | x |
Track And Field | x | x |
Ultimate Frisbee | x | |
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- Men's Club Sports
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- basketball, bowling, cross-country running, football, golf, ice hockey, racquetball, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, marching band, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities, virginia tech union, student government association, international student organizations
- Sororities
- 19% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 13% of men participate
- ROTC
- Army ROTC offered on campus, Navy ROTC is offered on campus, Air Force ROTC offered on campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 27,811
- Women
- 11,966 (43.0%)
- Men
- 15,845 (57.0%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 27,180
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
10.6% Asian
4.5% Black/African-American
6.9% Hispanic/Latino
5.2% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
69.9% White
2.7% Unknown - International Students.
- 6.6% from 86 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- 7,039
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 63.5%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 81.2%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 84.5%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 60%
- Average Starting Salary
- 60%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
- Disciplines Pursued
- Business 1.1%
Engineering 3.4%
Law 1.3%
Dentistry 0.2%
Arts and Sciences 5.9%
Medicine 2.9%
Veterinary Medicine 0.6%
Education 1.2%
Other 1.3%
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."