UC vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Virginia Tech based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 38,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UC vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than Virginia Tech ($24,696 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 18% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,564 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $1,972 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.8% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $8,454 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Virginia Tech (73% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 11.9% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($9,168 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 100 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - 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: UC Mar 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UC vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($237 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 57%)

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.