Penn vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Penn vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn 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 Pennsylvania than Virginia Tech ($23,570 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 13.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,550 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 330.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $52,738 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.9% higher at Penn than at Virginia Tech (about $30,922 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at University of Pennsylvania (60% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 614% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($65,458 vs. $9,168).

Penn vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn 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 Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 170 points higher than at Virginia Tech (1370).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Virginia Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - 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: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Penn (3.95).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Penn vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Virginia Tech's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $58,600 more per year than Virginia Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $65,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,333 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($20,633 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($213 vs. $247).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.