Alabama vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Virginia Tech based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 38,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 The University of Alabama than Virginia Tech ($22,559 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 9.3% lower than at Virginia Tech ($15,016 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 30.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $3,768 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Virginia Tech than at The University of Alabama (about $3,592 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at Virginia Tech (80% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 90.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($17,503 vs. $9,168).

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 80 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - 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: Alabama May 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Alabama graduates have a $216 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,750 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Alabama graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($245 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 59%)

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.