SU vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shenandoah University is located in Winchester, VA (Small City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shenandoah University 12:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

SU vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU 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 Virginia Tech than SU ($24,912 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 24.5% lower than at Virginia Tech ($12,490 vs. $16,550).
• Shenandoah University is 131.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $21,002 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Virginia Tech than at Shenandoah University (about $814 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Virginia Tech (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 169.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($24,747 vs. $9,168).

SU vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU 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 SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 250 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shenandoah University 1010/1230; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shenandoah University 19/26; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test-free; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at SU (3.7).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at SU vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

SU vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have a $1,034 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($23,966 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($247 vs. $258).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 60%)

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.