Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University at a Glance
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly referred to as Virginia Tech (VT), is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. It was founded as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1872.
1872
154 years old
$2.1B
$2.09 billion (2025)
38,294
280 undergrad · 7,790 grad
2,976
230 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Official admissions pageJanuary 15
November 15 (Early Action)
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Worth It?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $24,953/year, it's priced 22% above average, while graduates go on to earn $81,698 — 52% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 86% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Bottom line: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 12 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Long Beach | 100 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| #2 | Purdue University-Main Campus | 100 | $14,600 | $72,424 |
| #3 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | 95 | $17,354 | $73,792 |
| #4 | Stony Brook University | 76 | $18,784 | $74,502 |
| #5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 71 | $24,953 | $81,698 |
| #6 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 67 | $22,383 | $71,631 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
The highest-earning program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $83,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earns $83,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $22,500 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,953/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $83,600 | $83,600 | $25,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $72,100 | $72,100 | $24,967 |
| Chemical Engineering | $70,100 | $70,100 | $28,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $67,700 | $67,700 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $67,700 | $67,700 | $22,689 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,100 | $67,100 | $24,875 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,400 | $66,400 | $25,000 |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $66,300 | $66,300 | $27,125 |
| Construction Management | $64,200 | $64,200 | $22,500 |
| Engineering Mechanics | $62,400 | $62,400 | $27,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $62,000 | $62,000 | $27,888 |
| Construction Engineering | $61,800 | $61,800 | $22,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $61,000 | $61,000 | $23,250 |
| Materials Engineering | $60,300 | $60,300 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,100 | $60,100 | $22,500 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $59,000 | $59,000 | $24,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $57,600 | $57,600 | $24,497 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $51,900 | $51,900 | $22,500 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $51,600 | $51,600 | N/A |
| Architecture | $50,000 | $50,000 | $31,000 |
| Marketing | $46,600 | $46,600 | $21,500 |
| Economics | $45,000 | $45,000 | $24,299 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,900 | $44,900 | $21,125 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $44,900 | $44,900 | $25,071 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,600 | $44,600 | $27,000 |
| Landscape Architecture | $44,400 | $44,400 | N/A |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $42,200 | $42,200 | $20,436 |
| Mathematics | $41,100 | $41,100 | $24,473 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $40,300 | $40,300 | $25,875 |
| Statistics | $38,500 | $38,500 | $25,944 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,900 | $37,900 | $22,500 |
| Food Science and Technology | $37,700 | $37,700 | $21,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,300 | $37,300 | $21,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $37,000 | $37,000 | $24,202 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,500 |
| Forestry | $36,100 | $36,100 | $21,500 |
| Physics | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Plant Sciences | $34,800 | $34,800 | $24,394 |
| Chemistry | $34,400 | $34,400 | $27,323 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $34,300 | $34,300 | $26,375 |
| History | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,171 |
| Sociology | $33,100 | $33,100 | $21,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $23,557 |
| Geography and Cartography | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,350 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $29,500 | $29,500 | $26,625 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,300 | $29,300 | $23,716 |
| Psychology, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $23,701 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,900 | $27,900 | $23,750 |
| Biology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $21,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $26,000 | $26,000 | $24,337 |
| Animal Sciences | $25,500 | $25,500 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,300 | $23,300 | $22,500 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $21,000 | $21,000 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,200 | $18,200 | $22,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Blacksburg, VA
- Student Body
- 30,923 students
- Admission Rate
- 55%
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,953
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $81,698
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500