NC State vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

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

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

NC State vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Virginia Tech ($15,522 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 13.4% lower than at Virginia Tech ($14,332 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 81.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $7,149 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Virginia Tech than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $4,917 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (60% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($11,675 vs. $9,168).

NC State vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 20 points higher than at Virginia Tech (1370).
• Incoming NC State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Virginia Tech (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at NC State (3.83).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

NC State vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $3,184 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($214 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 76%)

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.