Sewanee vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Sewanee vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee 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 Sewanee ($24,912 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 3.2% lower than at Virginia Tech ($16,028 vs. $16,550).
• The University of the South is 251.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $40,172 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at Sewanee than at Virginia Tech (about $18,356 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Virginia Tech (98% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 305.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($37,171 vs. $9,168).

Sewanee vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee 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 Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 40 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - 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: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Sewanee vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Virginia Tech's (82%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $4,966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($196 vs. $247).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 81%)

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.