Public · Blacksburg, VA · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a public R1 research university in Blacksburg and the largest university in the Commonwealth. As a Virginia public, it offers deep in-state discounts through the Virginia Tuition Promise and other state grants.

  • Virginia Tuition Promise: in-state tuition is locked for four years for Pell-eligible students
  • One of the largest in-state merit programs in the country
  • Co-op and engineering career pipelines to Northern Virginia and DC employers
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Acceptance rate
57%
Undergrad enrollment
30,862
Institution type
Public research
State
Virginia

Type

Public university

Location

Blacksburg, VA

Acceptance rate

57%

Undergrad enrollment

30,862

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — Virginia Tech — is a public, Carnegie R1 research university in Blacksburg, Virginia. It enrolls more than 30,000 undergraduates across eight colleges, with flagship programs in engineering, business, and agriculture.

For 2026–27, Virginia Tech charges about $15,000 in tuition and fees for Virginia residents and roughly $37,000 for out-of-state students. With on-campus housing, a meal plan, and the standard cost-of-attendance allowance for books, transportation, and personal expenses, the total published COA is around $30,000 in-state and $52,000 out-of-state.

The Virginia Tuition Promise covers full tuition and mandatory fees for Virginia residents with a family income of $85,000 or less who also receive a federal Pell Grant. The average grant aid for first-year students who receive aid is over $14,000, and the average net price for in-state students with family income under $48,000 is below $14,000.

Tuition & fees

$36,476

Out-of-state · in-state $15,944

Total cost of attendance

$52,516

Tuition + housing + food + transport + other

Net price (after avg aid)

$40,516

After $12,000 average grant aid

Show full cost breakdown
CategoryAmount
Tuition and fees (out-of-state)$36,476
In-state tuition (VA)$15,944
Housing$7,080
Food and meal plan$5,460
Transportation$1,000
Books and other$2,500
Total annual cost$52,516
Need-blind (domestic)
—Meets full need (domestic)
—Need-blind (international)
—Meets full need (international)
FAFSA eligible
State scholarship eligible

  • University Scholarship

    Typical award: $5,000 / yr

  • Commonwealth of Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

    Typical award: $4,000 / yr

  • Computer Science (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Top-ranked CS program with concentrations in AI, data, and cybersecurity.

    Program page

  • Computer Engineering (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Bradley Department — joint CS/ECE program with hardware focus and strong co-op placement.

    Program page

  • Mechanical Engineering (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Top-10 ranked ME program with concentrations in design, manufacturing, and aerospace.

    Program page

  • Business (BBA)

    Bachelor's

    Pamplin College of Business with concentrations in finance, marketing, and real estate.

    Program page

  • Industrial and Systems Engineering (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Top-ranked ISE program with operations research and supply chain focus.

    Program page

  • Architecture (5-yr BArch)

    Bachelor's

    NAAB-accredited architecture program with study-abroad studio in Europe.

    Program page

Regular decision deadline

January 15 (Regular Decision)

Early: November 1 (Early Action; ED not offered)

Application

Common App accepted

Apply now

GPA (middle 50%)

3.8 – 4.3 weighted

Test policy

SAT 1310

ACT 29

  • “Virginia Tuition Promise covered my tuition and Pell covered housing. I graduated debt-free and had two internship offers before senior year.”

    Senior, Computer Science

  • “I picked Virginia Tech over Embry-Riddle for the in-state cost. The aerospace program is just as good and I get to stay close to home in Northern Virginia.”

    Junior, Aerospace Engineering

  • “Out-of-state was a stretch for my family but the Excellence in Virginia scholarship cut my tuition by half. Worth applying early.”

    Sophomore, Business

6-year grad rate

86%

Median starting salary

$68,200

10-year ROI (net)

$268,000

Top-paying majors

  • Computer Science$98,400
  • Computer Engineering$96,200
  • Mechanical Engineering$78,400
  • Finance$72,800
  • Industrial Engineering$76,400

Where grads go: Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Capital One, Amazon, Deloitte.

SchoolTuitionTypeWhy compare
Virginia Tech$36,476PublicYou are here
University of VirginiaOpen the calculator—Virginia's flagship — more selective, similar in-state cost.
James Madison UniversityOpen the calculator—Smaller Virginia public, comparable in-state cost, different campus culture.
Virginia Tech Northern VirginiaOpen the calculator—Same university, Falls Church campus, graduate-only programs.

Open the calculator, add Virginia Tech and one of the peers above, and the cost engine will fill in tuition, net price, and your loan gap automatically.

Virginia Tech operates across multiple campuses and program modalities. Each entry below has its own published cost of attendance.

How much is Virginia Tech in-state tuition for 2026–27?

For the 2026–27 academic year, Virginia Tech charges approximately $15,000 in tuition and fees for full-time Virginia residents. With on-campus housing, a meal plan, and standard allowances, the total cost of attendance is around $30,000 per year.

What does Virginia Tech charge out-of-state students?

Out-of-state students pay roughly $37,000 in tuition and fees for 2026–27. Total cost of attendance with housing, meals, and other expenses runs about $52,000. Virginia Tech offers the Excellence in Virginia Scholarship, which can reduce out-of-state tuition for high-achieving non-residents.

What is the Virginia Tuition Promise?

The Virginia Tuition Promise covers full in-state tuition and mandatory fees for Virginia residents with a family income of $85,000 or less who also receive a federal Pell Grant. Award amounts are locked for four years, and the program is renewable as long as the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Is Virginia Tech test-optional?

Virginia Tech is test-optional for first-year applicants through at least the 2026–27 cycle. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores if they believe it strengthens their application. Check Virginia Tech's admissions page for the current policy each cycle.

Does Virginia Tech meet full demonstrated need?

Virginia Tech is not a meet-full-need institution. The university packages need-based aid from federal, state, and institutional sources, but the average net price for low-income Virginia residents depends on Pell, the Virginia Tuition Promise, and institutional grants combined.

What GPA do you need for Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech publishes a middle-50% admitted GPA range of 3.8 to 4.3 weighted. The university reviews applications holistically and considers the rigor of your coursework, your class rank, and your context. Virginia residents who rank in the top 10% of their class are guaranteed admission if they complete the required course units.

Compare net prices and aid packages with other Virginia Tech families

If you got a Virginia Tuition Promise award, share your residency status, family income bracket, and the award amount. This helps families estimate what they'll actually pay.

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Reviewed by Geek College Editorial Team. First published 2026-04-20. Last reviewed 2026-07-10.