Virginia Tech vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Virginia Tech vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Virginia Tech or VCU? 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 VCU ($24,912 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 9.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,550 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $997 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at VCU than at Virginia Tech (about $2,345 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Virginia Tech (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 54.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($14,186 vs. $9,168).

Virginia Tech vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Virginia Tech or VCU? 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 VCU and Virginia Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 230 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Tech 1280/1450; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Tech 28/32; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Virginia Tech - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.3% at Virginia Tech vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Virginia Tech vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Virginia Tech and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $716 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($240 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 56%)

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.