ASU vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

ASU vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Virginia Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Virginia Tech ($14,978 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 22.2% lower than at Virginia Tech ($12,868 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 110.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $8,369 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at Virginia Tech than at Appalachian State University (about $12,552 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at Appalachian State University (60% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($9,168 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Virginia Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Virginia Tech and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 170 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at ASU (3.96).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

ASU vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Virginia Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $3,466 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($211 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.