Utah vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Utah 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Utah vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Utah 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 Utah than Virginia Tech ($16,583 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 19.5% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,315 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 65.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $6,328 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of Utah (about $6,904 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at Virginia Tech (73% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 39% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($12,744 vs. $9,168).

Utah vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Utah 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 Utah.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 80 points higher than at Utah (1290).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Utah 1190/1380; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Utah 22/29; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Utah - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at Utah vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Utah vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Utah 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Utah graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $8,966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($155 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 72%)

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.