TuitionScope
Public4-year

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Blacksburg, Virginia

Net price / year

$24,953

after grants & scholarships

higher than 98% of public 4-year colleges

Acceptance rate

55%

Graduation rate

86%

within 150% of normal time

higher than 98% of public 4-year colleges

Median earnings

$85,647

4 years after graduating

higher than 97% of public 4-year colleges

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University at a glance

What is the tuition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $15,948 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $37,764 for out-of-state students.
What is the cost of attendance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The average cost of attendance is $36,951 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
What is the net price at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The average net price for in-state students is $24,953 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
About 55% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
What SAT and ACT scores are typical at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1280–1450 and an ACT composite of 28–32 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
86% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
How much do graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn?
The median graduate earns $85,647 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).

Key takeaways

  • Graduates earn a median $85,647 four years after finishing, more than 97% of public 4-year colleges.
  • At $24,953 a year, the average net price is higher than 98% of public 4-year colleges.
  • 86% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 98% of public 4-year colleges.
  • The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.0 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
  • Families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,689 a year on average, versus $34,201 for families earning over $110,000.

Tuition and cost of attendance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Average net price (in-state)

$24,953 per year

Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.

Estimate your own price with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University net price calculator ↗

Estimated total net cost

$99,812

Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.

Net price by family income

Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.

  1. $0–30k $11,689
  2. $30–48k $11,670
  3. $48–75k $17,894
  4. $75–110k $25,835
  5. $110k+ $34,201

Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $36,951

  • Tuition & fees$15,948
  • Books & supplies$2,678
  • Room & board$16,550
  • Other expenses$4,494
Tuition & fees (in-state)
$15,948
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
$37,764

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores

Acceptance rate

Share of applicants admitted.

Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required

SAT range (middle 50%)1280–1450
4001600
ACT composite range (middle 50%)28–32
136

Graduation rate and salary after graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Graduation rate

86%

First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.

Retention rate

92%

Full-time first-years who return the next fall.

Typical monthly payment

$228

On a standard 10-year federal plan.

Years of earnings premium to cover cost

2.0 years

Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.

Earnings vs debt

Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.

Debt-to-earnings
0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Share of pay going to loans
3.2%
3-year loan default rate
0%

Outcomes by student group

The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.

Completion within 150% of normal time, by group

Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).

Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).

Earnings ten years after entry

All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.

Typical range: middle half of students

25th percentile $53,415 · median $81,698 · 75th percentile $113,356

This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.

Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).

Median federal student debt, by group

Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.

Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).

How borrowers are doing

One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 7,572 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.

Repayment status one year after entering repayment

  • Paid in full 18%
  • Making progress 16%
  • Not making progress 10%
  • Delinquent 1%
  • Default 0%
  • Forbearance 44%
  • Deferment 11%
  • Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
Paid in full:
The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
Making progress:
Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
Not making progress:
The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
Delinquent:
Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
Default:
The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
Forbearance:
Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
Deferment:
Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
Discharged:
The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.

7,572 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).

Programs and majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranked by earnings

ProgramEarnings, 4 yrs afterEarnings over timeCompared with the U.S. median for this fieldMedian debt

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 253

$144,103 1 yr$96,4324 yrs$144,1035 yrs$135,082

U.S. median $92,374

U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Above the U.S. median

$20,500

Computer Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 139

$122,026 1 yr$86,6364 yrs$122,0265 yrs$123,589

U.S. median $109,015

U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Above the U.S. median

$25,929

Applied Mathematics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 65

$117,990 1 yr$82,2754 yrs$117,990

U.S. median $91,532

U.S. middle half $63.4K–$127.3K · Above the U.S. median

$20,000

Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 113

$116,641 1 yr$82,4374 yrs$116,6415 yrs$103,958

U.S. median $98,442

U.S. middle half $81.2K–$121.7K · Above the U.S. median

$22,625

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Bachelor's · Graduates: 346

$108,726 1 yr$77,8774 yrs$108,7265 yrs$109,446

U.S. median $86,176

U.S. middle half $61.8K–$114.7K · Above the U.S. median

$21,500

Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 89

$106,633 1 yr$76,8564 yrs$106,6335 yrs$100,423

U.S. median $98,207

U.S. middle half $81.6K–$115.9K · Above the U.S. median

$25,833

Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 80

$106,011 1 yr$82,3824 yrs$106,0115 yrs$99,194

U.S. median $98,158

U.S. middle half $80.3K–$118K · Above the U.S. median

$24,875

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 122

$104,839 1 yr$83,3644 yrs$104,8395 yrs$103,147

U.S. median $100,647

U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Above the U.S. median

$23,562

Finance and Financial Management Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 258

$102,902 1 yr$66,6014 yrs$102,9025 yrs$101,795

U.S. median $83,343

U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Above the U.S. median

$21,500

Construction Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 46

$102,699 1 yr$82,6274 yrs$102,6995 yrs$96,832

U.S. median $97,303

U.S. middle half $80.1K–$115.8K · Above the U.S. median

$26,349
Show all 61 programs

Engineering Mechanics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 36

$101,509 1 yr$81,7354 yrs$101,5095 yrs$101,625

U.S. median $93,437

U.S. middle half $78.9K–$108.1K · Above the U.S. median

$27,500

Accounting and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 164

$99,528 1 yr$70,3034 yrs$99,5285 yrs$94,502

U.S. median $76,194

U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median

$18,500

Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 286

$96,376 1 yr$78,2804 yrs$96,3765 yrs$97,664

U.S. median $92,135

U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Real Estate

Bachelor's · Graduates: 53

$95,576 1 yr$68,0784 yrs$95,576

U.S. median $84,821

U.S. middle half $55.6K–$120.7K · Above the U.S. median

$26,529

Business/Managerial Economics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample

$95,271 4 yrs$95,2715 yrs$91,084

U.S. median $77,981

U.S. middle half $55.1K–$106.7K · Above the U.S. median

—

Construction Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 106

$95,165 1 yr$76,2464 yrs$95,1655 yrs$97,079

U.S. median $95,124

U.S. middle half $77.1K–$115.2K · Above the U.S. median

$27,000

Mining and Mineral Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 32

$94,397 1 yr$74,7934 yrs$94,3975 yrs$96,761

U.S. median $101,390

U.S. middle half $79.6K–$123.3K · Below the U.S. median

$20,907

Statistics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample

$94,300 1 yr$62,5984 yrs$94,3005 yrs$74,128

U.S. median $92,425

U.S. middle half $64.6K–$125.5K · Above the U.S. median

$15,500

Physics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 42

$92,746 1 yr$58,0614 yrs$92,7465 yrs$78,349

U.S. median $76,786

U.S. middle half $51.8K–$102.9K · Above the U.S. median

$26,224

Economics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 106

$92,653 1 yr$56,2614 yrs$92,6535 yrs$86,760

U.S. median $82,686

U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Above the U.S. median

$22,125

Materials Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 65

$90,828 1 yr$66,8884 yrs$90,8285 yrs$90,734

U.S. median $91,449

U.S. middle half $76.7K–$109.2K · Below the U.S. median

$27,000

Agricultural Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$88,315 1 yr$75,4344 yrs$88,3155 yrs$80,460

U.S. median $84,624

U.S. middle half $67.9K–$103.9K · Above the U.S. median

$26,125

Civil Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 208

$88,142 1 yr$74,2854 yrs$88,1425 yrs$84,707

U.S. median $86,517

U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Above the U.S. median

$25,000

Marketing

Bachelor's · Graduates: 175

$86,338 1 yr$56,4174 yrs$86,3385 yrs$82,451

U.S. median $69,303

U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Engineering-Related Fields

Bachelor's · Graduates: 36

$81,618 1 yr$56,5134 yrs$81,6185 yrs$98,448

U.S. median $89,619

U.S. middle half $71K–$110.2K · Below the U.S. median

$23,750

Food Science and Technology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$80,161 1 yr$56,2744 yrs$80,1615 yrs$66,527

U.S. median $70,873

U.S. middle half $54.1K–$88.2K · Above the U.S. median

$26,875

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Bachelor's · Graduates: 145

$80,023 1 yr$60,6784 yrs$80,0235 yrs$78,729

U.S. median $68,257

U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median

$22,017

Political Science and Government

Bachelor's · Graduates: 186

$75,687 1 yr$42,1144 yrs$75,6875 yrs$72,652

U.S. median $63,293

U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median

$23,500

Architecture

Bachelor's · Graduates: 91

$75,074 1 yr$56,7084 yrs$75,0745 yrs$74,099

U.S. median $66,914

U.S. middle half $54.2K–$78.6K · Above the U.S. median

$29,000

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 172

$74,005 1 yr$25,4144 yrs$74,0055 yrs$68,867

U.S. median $54,945

U.S. middle half $39.1K–$70.7K · Above the U.S. median

$24,017

Chemistry

Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample

$73,395 1 yr$45,5134 yrs$73,3955 yrs$70,473

U.S. median $65,120

U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median

$22,875

Hospitality Administration/Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 56

$72,817 1 yr$45,7714 yrs$72,8175 yrs$60,111

U.S. median $56,726

U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Above the U.S. median

$24,500

Design and Applied Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 65

$72,213 1 yr$46,7614 yrs$72,2135 yrs$65,699

U.S. median $51,490

U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Above the U.S. median

$23,900

International Relations and National Security Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 95

$71,988 1 yr$44,6384 yrs$71,9885 yrs$74,206

U.S. median $66,596

U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Above the U.S. median

$21,250

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 76

$68,263 1 yr$37,3894 yrs$68,2635 yrs$62,956

U.S. median $49,984

U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample

$67,892 1 yr$43,4944 yrs$67,8925 yrs$61,614

U.S. median $60,997

U.S. middle half $46.5K–$78.1K · Above the U.S. median

$23,250

Mathematics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 71

$67,763 1 yr$55,7314 yrs$67,7635 yrs$70,431

U.S. median $69,562

U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Below the U.S. median

$22,375

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 57

$67,621 1 yr$35,9274 yrs$67,6215 yrs$64,877

U.S. median $65,466

U.S. middle half $44.9K–$88.4K · Above the U.S. median

$24,000

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample

$67,253 —

U.S. median $62,582

U.S. middle half $44K–$83.2K · Above the U.S. median

$24,817

Public Policy Analysis

Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample

$66,177 4 yrs$66,1775 yrs$68,384

U.S. median $73,721

U.S. middle half $53.3K–$104.1K · Below the U.S. median

$15,500

Communication and Media Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 215

$66,106 1 yr$44,3094 yrs$66,1065 yrs$65,239

U.S. median $56,359

U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median

$20,500

Geography and Cartography

Bachelor's · Graduates: 48

$65,259 1 yr$39,3284 yrs$65,2595 yrs$65,342

U.S. median $57,853

U.S. middle half $42.5K–$75.6K · Above the U.S. median

$19,500

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 95

$65,248 1 yr$43,6034 yrs$65,2485 yrs$70,108

U.S. median $64,926

U.S. middle half $47.1K–$87.7K · Above the U.S. median

$22,450

English Language and Literature, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 98

$64,225 1 yr$39,1554 yrs$64,2255 yrs$56,347

U.S. median $48,590

U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median

$21,625

Forestry

Bachelor's · Graduates: 88

$64,204 1 yr$45,8174 yrs$64,2045 yrs$61,907

U.S. median $58,784

U.S. middle half $44.9K–$73.1K · Above the U.S. median

$20,663

Sociology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 109

$63,654 1 yr$38,7684 yrs$63,6545 yrs$53,098

U.S. median $52,657

U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median

$22,562

Agricultural Business and Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 43

$62,398 1 yr$48,5574 yrs$62,3985 yrs$73,750

U.S. median $66,647

U.S. middle half $48.6K–$90.4K · Below the U.S. median

$22,999

Biology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 137

$61,703 1 yr$28,2394 yrs$61,7035 yrs$63,097

U.S. median $57,214

U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median

$20,164

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample

$59,969 4 yrs$59,9695 yrs$68,645

U.S. median $60,190

U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Below the U.S. median

—

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$59,868 1 yr$39,3614 yrs$59,8685 yrs$65,308

U.S. median $55,012

U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median

$26,816

History

Bachelor's · Graduates: 52

$59,819 1 yr$33,3194 yrs$59,8195 yrs$54,461

U.S. median $50,680

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median

$20,499

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 63

$59,714 1 yr$29,0814 yrs$59,714

U.S. median $62,451

U.S. middle half $40.7K–$88.6K · Below the U.S. median

$22,300

Fine and Studio Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 54

$58,652 1 yr$36,9274 yrs$58,6525 yrs$50,147

U.S. median $41,367

U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median

$26,000

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 218

$58,340 1 yr$33,6544 yrs$58,3405 yrs$56,451

U.S. median $48,568

U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Above the U.S. median

$20,500

Plant Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$56,630 1 yr$42,8614 yrs$56,6305 yrs$49,641

U.S. median $56,567

U.S. middle half $41.8K–$73.9K · Above the U.S. median

$18,955

Psychology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 170

$56,365 1 yr$33,7334 yrs$56,3655 yrs$58,977

U.S. median $50,706

U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median

$21,500

Agriculture, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$53,568 4 yrs$53,5685 yrs$48,514

U.S. median $53,676

U.S. middle half $39K–$70.6K · Below the U.S. median

—

Music

Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample

$48,028 —

U.S. median $42,892

U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Above the U.S. median

$27,000

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 54

$47,496 1 yr$25,5634 yrs$47,4965 yrs$45,136

U.S. median $45,338

U.S. middle half $34.2K–$59.3K · Above the U.S. median

$21,390

Animal Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 115

$47,224 1 yr$28,7294 yrs$47,2245 yrs$49,456

U.S. median $49,634

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.9K · Below the U.S. median

$22,250

Agricultural Production Operations

Associate · Graduates: 62

$46,669 1 yr$36,0834 yrs$46,6695 yrs$48,879

U.S. median $42,438

U.S. middle half $27.2K–$59.3K · Above the U.S. median

$11,000

Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.

The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.

The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.

Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.

What students study

The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.

Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field

A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).

Who attends

A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.

Race and ethnicity

  • White 57.2%
  • Black or African American 5.9%
  • Hispanic or Latino 9.8%
  • Asian 13.7%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native 0.1%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
  • Two or more races 5.8%
  • U.S. nonresident 4.6%
  • Race and ethnicity unknown 2.9%

Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Gender

  • Men 56.7%
  • Women 43.3%

Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Students aged 25 or older

2%

of undergraduates

Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).

Students and campus

Undergraduate enrollment
30,923
Part-time students
3%
Receive Pell Grants
15%
Receive federal loans
34%
Students per faculty member
17 : 1
Setting
City

Similar colleges

Schools of a similar type, price, size and outcomes.

Guides worth reading

Plain-language explainers that help you read the numbers on this page.

More in Virginia

Frequently asked questions

How much is tuition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $15,948 for in-state students and $37,764 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.

What is the cost of attendance and net price at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

The average cost of attendance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is $36,951 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $24,953 a year. That is higher than 98% of public 4-year colleges.

How much financial aid do students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University get?

15% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 34% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $11,689 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $34,201 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).

What is the acceptance rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University admitted about 55% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1280–1450 and an ACT composite of 28–32 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.

What are the graduation rate and retention rate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

86% of first-time, full-time students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University finish within 150% of normal time. 92% of full-time first-years return the next fall.

How much do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn after graduation?

The median graduate earns $85,647 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $59,604.

Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University worth it?

There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.0 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $21,500, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 86% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.

Sources and data periods

All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:

  • Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
  • Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
  • Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts

Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things