Auburn vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Auburn vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn 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 Virginia Tech than Auburn ($24,912 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 0.5% lower than at Auburn University ($16,550 vs. $16,626).
• Virginia Tech is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $3,058 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Virginia Tech than at Auburn University (about $2,842 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at Virginia Tech (80% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 18.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($10,872 vs. $9,168).

Auburn vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn 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 Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 40 points higher than at Auburn (1330).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have the same average high school GPA (3.97) as students at Virginia Tech (3.97).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Auburn vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn 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 Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $2,466 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($222 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn 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.