Blacksburg, VA · Private University
Is Virginia Tech Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$81,698
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$15,478
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$36,694
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$146,776
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.23x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,790
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn $36,698 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranked by graduate earnings
229 graduates
134 graduates
370 graduates
129 graduates
104 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $116,372) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $29,081) is $87,291/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $116,372 | 3.2x |
| Computer Engineering | $107,350 | 2.9x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $95,280 | 2.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $92,826 | 2.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $92,354 | 2.5x |
| Construction Engineering | $91,140 | 2.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $89,909 | 2.5x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $87,572 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $85,837 | 2.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,281 | 2.3x |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $84,815 | 2.3x |
| Construction Management | $83,044 | 2.3x |
| Statistics | $82,965 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,394 | 2.3x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $82,275 | 2.2x |
| Engineering Mechanics | $81,469 | 2.2x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $80,284 | 2.2x |
| Materials Engineering | $80,173 | 2.2x |
| Civil Engineering | $76,247 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $75,051 | 2.0x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $73,787 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $70,724 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $68,510 | 1.9x |
| Real Estate(1yr data) | $68,078 | 1.9x |
| Physics | $67,271 | 1.8x |
| Food Science and Technology | $66,527 | 1.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $64,526 | 1.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $63,338 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $61,470 | 1.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,297 | 1.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $59,906 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $58,996 | 1.6x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $58,692 | 1.6x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $56,797 | 1.6x |
| Forestry | $56,777 | 1.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $56,718 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,850 | 1.5x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $54,705 | 1.5x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $52,382 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $52,254 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry | $51,790 | 1.4x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $51,652 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $51,068 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $48,910 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $48,423 | 1.3x |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $48,001 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $47,684 | 1.3x |
| History | $47,665 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $47,097 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $47,097 | 1.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $45,166 | 1.2x |
| Animal Sciences | $43,343 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,596 | 1.2x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $41,679 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,372 | 1.0x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $29,081 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 2.23x | $81,698 | Strong ROI |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 2.07x | $74,479 | Strong ROI |
| University of Delaware | 1.84x | $72,950 | Good ROI |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | 2.52x | $72,424 | Strong ROI |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | 1.78x | $62,177 | Good ROI |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 1.88x | $60,249 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $81,698 10 years after starting — $36,698 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.1 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.