Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln than Virginia Tech ($18,322 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 14.7% lower than at Virginia Tech ($14,120 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 52.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $5,514 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $9,180 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Virginia Tech (94% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 15% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($10,541 vs. $9,168).

Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 160 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nebraska - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nebraska 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $2,266 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($21,700 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($224 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 73%)

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.