In this article, we will compare two renowned American universities: Virginia Tech and Auburn University. These schools offer a variety of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and student resources, making them attractive options for prospective students. To help you make an informed decision, we will cover various aspects of both institutions, including costs, tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
Virginia Tech Overview
Virginia Tech, also known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is a public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Established in 1872, the university has a strong emphasis on engineering, science, and technology, offering over 280 undergraduate and graduate programs. Virginia Tech is known for its hands-on, experiential learning opportunities and its strong commitment to research.
Virginia Tech Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance at Virginia Tech for in-state undergraduate students is about $29,000 per year, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $46,000 per year. The total cost includes tuition, fees, housing, dining, and other miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid is available for eligible students through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Virginia Tech Admissions
Admission to Virginia Tech is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 70%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1180 and 1390 and an ACT score between 25 and 31. Virginia Tech is known to prioritize high school grades and rigor of coursework in its admissions process.
Virginia Tech Degrees Offered
Virginia Tech offers over 110 undergraduate degree programs and 170 major options across its nine colleges. Some of the most popular majors include engineering, business, agriculture, and natural resources. The university also offers more than 150 master’s and doctoral programs for graduate students.
Virginia Tech Academics
Virginia Tech is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in engineering, science, and technology. The university emphasizes hands-on learning and research opportunities for students, with state-of-the-art facilities and resources available. In addition, Virginia Tech has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students.
Virginia Tech Diversity
Virginia Tech has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university is committed to promoting a culture of inclusivity and offers various programs and resources to support underrepresented students, including the Office for Inclusion and Diversity and cultural centers.
Virginia Tech Students
Virginia Tech has a total enrollment of over 36,000 students, with approximately 29,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. The university offers a vibrant campus life with over 900 student organizations, clubs, and recreational activities. Virginia Tech is also a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, offering 22 varsity sports teams for student-athletes.
Virginia Tech Campus
Virginia Tech’s sprawling campus covers 2,600 acres and features picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus is known for its iconic limestone buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and expansive green spaces.
Virginia Tech Alumni
Virginia Tech has a strong alumni network, with over 250,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Hoda Kotb, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, and Michael Vick, former NFL quarterback.
Virginia Tech Rankings
Virginia Tech is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States. According to U.S. News & World Report, Virginia Tech is ranked 74th in National Universities, 27th in Top Public Schools, and 55th in Best Value Schools.
Virginia Tech Outcomes
Virginia Tech has a strong record of student success, with a six-year graduation rate of 84%. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for Virginia Tech graduates is $60,000, and the average mid-career salary is $108,000.
Auburn Overview
Auburn University is a public research university located in Auburn, Alabama. Established in 1856, Auburn is known for its strong academics, research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. The university offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs across its 12 colleges and schools.
Auburn Costs & Tuition
The estimated cost of attendance for in-state undergraduate students at Auburn is around $29,000 per year, while out-of-state students can expect to pay approximately $49,000 per year. This cost includes tuition, fees, housing, dining, and other expenses. Financial aid is available to eligible students through grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Auburn Admissions
Admission to Auburn University is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 75%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1150 and 1310 and an ACT score between 24 and 30. Similar to Virginia Tech, Auburn prioritizes high school grades and the rigor of coursework in its admissions process.
Auburn Degrees Offered
Auburn University offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs across its 12 colleges and schools. Popular majors include business, engineering, agriculture, and biological sciences.
Auburn Academics
Auburn University is known for its strong academic programs, with a particular emphasis on research and hands-on learning. The university has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students.
Auburn Diversity
Auburn University has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university is committed to promoting a culture of inclusivity and offers various programs and resources to support underrepresented students.
Auburn Students
Auburn University has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students, including approximately 24,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with more than 500 student organizations, clubs, and recreational activities. Auburn is a member of the Southeastern Conference, offering 21 varsity sports teams for student-athletes.
Auburn Campus
Auburn University’s campus covers 1,840 acres and features a mix of modern and historic buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and expansive green spaces.
Auburn Alumni
Auburn University has a strong alumni network, with over 233,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Apple CEO Tim Cook and author Harper Lee.
Auburn Rankings
Auburn University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States. According to U.S. News & World Report, Auburn is ranked 97th in National Universities, 37th in Top Public Schools, and 100th in Best Value Schools.
Auburn Outcome
Auburn University has a six-year graduation rate of 79%. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for Auburn graduates is $54,000, and the average mid-career salary is $101,000.
Virginia Tech vs Auburn Cost Comparison
Both Virginia Tech and Auburn University have similar estimated costs of attendance for in-state students, at around $29,000 per year. However, for out-of-state students, Auburn is slightly more expensive, with an estimated cost of $49,000 per year compared to Virginia Tech’s $46,000 per year. Both schools offer financial aid options to help offset these costs.
Virginia Tech vs Auburn Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Virginia Tech and Auburn University are moderately competitive, with acceptance rates of 70% and 75%, respectively. Both institutions prioritize high school grades and rigor of coursework in their admissions processes. The middle 50% of admitted students’ SAT and ACT scores are comparable, making admission to either school similarly challenging.
Virginia Tech vs Auburn Academic Difficulty
Both Virginia Tech and Auburn University boast strong academic programs and low student-to-faculty ratios, ensuring personalized attention for students. While Virginia Tech is known for its emphasis on engineering, science, and technology, Auburn offers a diverse range of programs across its 12 colleges and schools.
Virginia Tech vs Auburn Outcome Comparison
In terms of outcomes, Virginia Tech and Auburn University have comparable graduation rates, at 84% and 79%, respectively. However, Virginia Tech graduates tend to have slightly higher early career and mid-career salaries compared to Auburn graduates.
