Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Virginia Tech based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 38,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College 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 Northern Virginia Community College than Virginia Tech ($9,627 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 23.4% lower than at Virginia Tech ($12,684 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 170.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $10,057 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 204.3% higher at Virginia Tech than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $25,355 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at Northern Virginia Community College (60% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($9,168 vs. $7,519).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Virginia Community College 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 Northern Virginia Community College.

• Northern Virginia Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College 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).

• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $12,966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($113 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 45%)

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.