Universities / Compare / Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus

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

Side-by-side comparison of tuition, graduate earnings, acceptance rate, graduation rate, student debt and more. Data automatically aggregated from public sources — errors may occur. Always verify with institutions.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public · 30,923 students
$82k
Earnings 10yr
86%
Grad Rate
54.8%
Accept Rate
$25k
Net Price/yr
View Full Profile →
🏫 Visit campus · 👨‍🎓 Consult advisors · ✅ Verify all data
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public · 17,597 students
$87k
Earnings 10yr
96%
Grad Rate
16.8%
Accept Rate
$22k
Net Price/yr
View Full Profile →
🏫 Visit campus · 👨‍🎓 Consult advisors · ✅ Verify all data

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus — Full Comparison

MetricVirginia Polytechnic Institute andUniversity of Virginia-Main Campus
Median Earnings (10yr)$81,698$86,863
Median Earnings (6yr)$67,377$72,359
Median Earnings (8yr)$75,717$80,156
% Earning >$25k (6yr)81.6%79.7%
Graduation Rate86.2%95.6%
Retention Rate93.1%97.5%
Acceptance Rate54.8%16.8%
SAT Average1,3641,480
In-State Tuition$15,948$21,803
Out-of-State Tuition$37,764$59,512
Avg Net Price (after aid)$24,953$21,565
Median Student Debt$21,500$17,500
Pell Grant Recipients15.3%15.6%
First-Gen Students17.8%15.8%
Total Students30,92317,597
Avg Faculty Salary$14,162$17,428
Spend per Student$15,632$26,598
Endowment$1.9B$10.1B
⚠️ This comparison does not imply overall superiority. Green/red indicators reflect individual metrics only. Many critical factors are NOT captured: teaching quality, research output, campus safety, mental health resources, career placement rates, alumni networks, class sizes, and individual program strength.
🏫 Visit both campuses in person
👨‍🎓 Consult qualified academic advisors
✅ Verify all data directly with institutions

Estimated Return on Investment

⚠️ This is a rough, simplified estimate only — we may have made errors in this calculation. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before any financial decision.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
82%
Estimated ROI ratio
$81,698 earnings ÷ $99,812 est. cost
University of Virginia-Main Campus
101%
Estimated ROI ratio
$86,863 earnings ÷ $86,260 est. cost
🏫 Visit both campuses in person
👨‍🎓 Consult a financial advisor
✅ Verify costs with financial aid office

Most Popular Programs

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
Business & Marketing22%
Engineering20%
Biological Sciences9%
Social Sciences8%
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Humanities15%
Social Sciences12%
Engineering9%
Business & Marketing9%

Top Earning Programs

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
Program earnings data not available
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$77k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$70k
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services$62k⚠️ small sample
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants$58k
Health and Medical Administrative Services$38k⚠️ small sample
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$35k
⚠️ Figures marked "small sample" are based on fewer than 30 graduates and may not be statistically representative. Interpret with caution and verify directly with the institution.

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

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a Public located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It enrolls approximately 30,923 students with a graduation rate of 86.2%. Graduates earn a median salary of $81,698 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 54.8%.

University of Virginia-Main Campus is a Public located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It enrolls approximately 17,597 students with a graduation rate of 95.6%. Graduates earn a median salary of $86,863 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 16.8%.

🎓 This comparison reflects publicly available data points only and may contain errors. Choosing a university involves many personal factors no dataset can capture. We strongly encourage you to visit both campuses in person, speak with current students and recent alumni, consult qualified academic advisors and financial aid officers, and seek independent professional advice before making any enrollment or financial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus harder to get into?+

Based on available data, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has an acceptance rate of 54.8% while University of Virginia-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 16.8%. University of Virginia-Main Campus is slightly more selective based on this metric alone. Acceptance rates vary by program, year, and applicant profile. Always verify directly with each institution.

Which university has better graduate earnings?+

According to available data, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median salary of $81,698 ten years after starting college, while University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn $86,863. Earnings vary significantly by major, career path, and individual circumstances. These are median estimates from public sources and may contain errors.

Which is more affordable — Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?+

After financial aid, the average net price at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is $24,953 per year compared to $21,565 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. Net price varies significantly based on family income and financial aid eligibility. These are averages — your actual cost may differ substantially. Contact each university's financial aid office for personalized estimates.

Which offers better return on investment?+

Using a simplified ROI estimate (10yr median earnings ÷ estimated 4-year cost), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shows approximately 82% and University of Virginia-Main Campus shows approximately 101%. This is a rough calculation that may contain errors — we make mistakes. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

What factors should I consider beyond this comparison?+

Data comparisons capture only a fraction of what makes a university the right fit. Critical factors not reflected here include campus culture, social life, research opportunities, internship networks, geographic location, specific program quality within departments, faculty mentorship, alumni connections, mental health resources, campus safety, and your personal career goals. We strongly encourage campus visits, conversations with current students, and consultation with academic and financial advisors.

Similar Comparisons

Compare with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Washington and Lee UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Chamberlain University-VirginiaVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Sentara College of Health SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Virginia Military Institute
Compare with University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Washington and Lee UniversityUniversity of Virginia-Main Campus vs Chamberlain University-VirginiaUniversity of Virginia-Main Campus vs Sentara College of Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Military Institute
Important Disclaimer
Data displayed on this page is automatically aggregated from publicly available sources through large-scale automation. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur and we make mistakes — data may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. UniOutcomes is an independent data aggregation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any educational institution. This information is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for enrollment, financial, or career decisions. Many factors that define a university experience — campus culture, faculty quality, research opportunities, location, alumni networks, and personal fit — are not captured here. Always verify data directly with the institution. Always consult a qualified professional before making any major academic or financial decision.
Data is automatically aggregated from public government sources and may be inaccurate. For informational purposes only. Always verify from official sources before making any decision. Terms of Use