U of K vs Virginia Tech

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Lexington, Kentucky, or Blacksburg, Virginia, home to the esteemed University of Kentucky (UK) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique identities. UK boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from across the nation, while Virginia Tech's rigorous admissions process attracts high-achieving students, resulting in a more selective community. Explore the nuances of each institution, from their popular majors in engineering, business, and health sciences to their vibrant student life and supportive alumni networks. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the details that set these two exceptional universities apart and guide your decision toward the perfect fit for your academic aspirations and personal growth.

	University of Kentucky	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Lexington, Kentucky	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	94.0%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1210 - 1410
ACT range	22 - 29	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	10.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	70.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	21,695	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	20,396	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,721	6,758
Yield rate	23.1%	28.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,690 Out of state: $50,688	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$20,043	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $11,247 Out of state: $30,245	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,650 Meal plan: $4,536	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $11,623	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,177	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $19,204	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,900 Men 43.1% Women 56.9%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	8,490 Men 37.7% Women 62.3%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	39.5%
International students	4.0%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,294	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio Illinois Georgia Tennessee	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Engineering Business Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.2%	86.6%
Dropout rate	30.6%	12.3%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $106,223 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $134,605 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $81,971 Year 2: $114,730 Year 3: $122,422 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $101,348 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $111,861 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $99,330 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $102,019 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,048 Year 2: $93,555 Year 3: $98,399 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $83,128 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,062 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $78,282 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,632 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,500 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,089 Year 2: $70,512 Year 3: $74,487 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,465 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $72,801	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,287 Year 2: $113,246 Year 3: $125,427 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,383 Year 2: $96,691 Year 3: $106,931 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,448 Year 2: $88,678 Year 3: $96,747 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $76,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,580 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,104 Year 2: $78,488 Year 3: $90,164 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,370 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $87,658 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $81,573 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $84,990 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,460 Year 2: $73,635 Year 3: $83,712 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,805 Year 2: $73,272 Year 3: $82,738 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,610 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $81,822

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Kentucky (UK) and Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)?

The University of Kentucky (UK) and Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) differ in several key aspects. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky, a city known for its horse farms and Southern charm, while Virginia Tech is situated in Blacksburg, Virginia, a smaller town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. UK has a stronger emphasis on its basketball program and liberal arts, while Virginia Tech is renowned for its engineering, technology, and agricultural programs. The overall campus culture also varies, with UK having a more traditional Southern university feel and Virginia Tech fostering a strong sense of community and 'Hokie Spirit'.
Which university is better known for its engineering programs: University of Kentucky or Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech is widely recognized as having a stronger and more prestigious engineering program compared to the University of Kentucky. Virginia Tech consistently ranks highly in national engineering program rankings and offers a broader range of specialized engineering disciplines. While UK has a solid engineering program, Virginia Tech's reputation and resources in engineering are generally considered superior.
How do the tuition costs compare between UK and Virginia Tech?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, Virginia Tech tends to be slightly more expensive than the University of Kentucky. However, for out-of-state students, the difference can fluctuate, so it's best to check the most current tuition rates on each university's official website. Also, remember to factor in room and board, fees, and other expenses when comparing the overall cost of attendance.
What is the campus environment like at the University of Kentucky versus Virginia Tech?

The University of Kentucky offers a vibrant campus environment in the heart of Lexington. Students enjoy a mix of academic pursuits, a thriving Greek life, and passionate support for the Wildcats basketball team. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, provides a more close-knit and community-focused atmosphere. The 'Hokie Spirit' is strong, and students are actively involved in campus traditions, outdoor activities, and a wide range of clubs and organizations.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech are research universities, but Virginia Tech generally has a stronger emphasis on research, particularly in engineering, science, and technology. Virginia Tech receives significant research funding and has numerous research centers and institutes. UK also conducts significant research, especially in areas like medicine, agriculture, and energy, but Virginia Tech's overall research output and funding are typically higher.
How do the acceptance rates compare between UK and Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech typically has a more selective admissions process than the University of Kentucky. This means that Virginia Tech's acceptance rate is generally lower than UK's. Prospective students should check the latest acceptance rates on each university's website to understand their chances of admission.
What are the popular majors at the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech?

At the University of Kentucky, popular majors include business, nursing, education, communications, and pre-med programs. At Virginia Tech, popular majors include engineering (various disciplines), business, computer science, biological sciences, and agricultural sciences. The strengths of each university are reflected in their most popular programs.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare between the two universities?

Both the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech offer comprehensive career services to their students, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Virginia Tech's strong industry connections, particularly in engineering and technology, often lead to high job placement rates for its graduates in those fields. UK also has strong connections in areas like healthcare and business, leading to good job prospects for its graduates as well. Students should research specific programs and their associated placement rates to make an informed decision.
What are the surrounding cities like for each university?

The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky, a vibrant city known for its horse farms, bourbon distilleries, and a growing arts and culture scene. Lexington offers a mix of urban amenities and Southern charm. Virginia Tech is situated in Blacksburg, Virginia, a smaller college town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blacksburg provides a more relaxed and outdoorsy environment, with opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. The choice depends on whether you prefer a larger city or a smaller, more rural setting.
Does either university have a strong focus on agriculture?

Yes, Virginia Tech has a very strong and well-respected College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It's one of their signature programs. The University of Kentucky also has an agricultural program, but it is not as widely recognized or as large as Virginia Tech's.

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