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UW-Madison vs Virginia Tech

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Madison, Wisconsin, or Blacksburg, Virginia, home to two esteemed universities: University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UW-Madison boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while Virginia Tech excels in engineering and agriculture programs. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, popular majors, and financial aid options, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
University of Wisconsin-Madison logo

University of Wisconsin-Madison

 		Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University logo

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Overview

Location Madison, Wisconsin 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 95.0% 92.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 60.4% 56.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $60
Graduate: $75
Undergraduate: $60
Graduate: $75
SAT range 1320 - 1500 1210 - 1410
ACT range 26 - 32 26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score 15.0% 83.0%
Students submitting ACT score 55.0% 35.0%
Total number of applicants 53,781 42,054
Total number of admissions given out 32,459 23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll 8,465 6,758
Yield rate 26.1% 28.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters 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: $27,418
Out of state: $55,306
In state: $30,104
Out of state: $49,787
Average net price $13,484 $20,109
Tuition
In state: $9,273
Out of state: $37,161
In state: $11,750
Out of state: $30,829
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,367
Meal plan: $4,100
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)

 54.0%
Average amount $10,932 		58.0%
Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan 26.0%
Average amount $5,175 		40.0%
Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $16,550 		9.0%
Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 34,561
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% 		29,760
Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students 12,455
Men 46.6% Women 53.4% 		7,519
Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 50.6% 39.5%
International students 13.8% 9.9%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 9,226 9,471
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 89.2% 86.6%
Dropout rate 10.0% 12.3%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $107,256
  • Year 3: $131,458
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $113,083
  • Year 2: $111,992
  • Year 3: $130,357
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $112,390
  • Year 2: $113,091
  • Year 3: $124,360
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,320
  • Year 2: $117,042
  • Year 3: $123,777
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,338
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $111,424
Real Estate (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $115,339
  • Year 3: $104,219
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $115,387
  • Year 2: $100,213
  • Year 3: $103,937
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,839
  • Year 2: $81,997
  • Year 3: $97,306
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $85,538
  • Year 3: $94,093
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,730
  • Year 2: $73,949
  • Year 3: $91,306
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 Wisconsin-Madison and Virginia Tech?

    The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a large, public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its strong academic programs across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in engineering, life sciences, and the humanities. Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) is also a large, public research university, but it's located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and is particularly renowned for its engineering, agriculture, architecture, and business programs. UW-Madison has a more urban campus environment, while Virginia Tech offers a more traditional college town experience. The overall campus culture and student body demographics also differ, with UW-Madison drawing a larger proportion of students from the Midwest and Virginia Tech drawing more heavily from the Mid-Atlantic region.

  • Which school is better for engineering programs?

    Both UW-Madison and Virginia Tech have excellent engineering programs, consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Virginia Tech is often considered a powerhouse in engineering, particularly in fields like aerospace, civil, and industrial engineering. UW-Madison also boasts strong engineering programs, especially in chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The 'better' school depends on your specific engineering discipline and research interests. Researching faculty and specific program strengths within each department is highly recommended.

  • How do the costs of attending UW-Madison and Virginia Tech compare?

    The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, UW-Madison is more affordable for Wisconsin residents, while Virginia Tech is more affordable for Virginia residents. For out-of-state students, the tuition and fees are comparable, but living expenses can differ depending on lifestyle and housing choices. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules, and factor in room and board, books, and personal expenses when comparing the overall cost.

  • What is the campus environment like at each university?

    UW-Madison has a vibrant, urban campus located in the heart of Madison, a lively city with a strong emphasis on arts, culture, and outdoor activities. The campus is situated on an isthmus between two lakes, offering beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, offers a more traditional college town experience in Blacksburg, a smaller town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus is known for its close-knit community and strong school spirit, often referred to as 'Hokie Nation'. Both universities offer a wide range of student organizations and activities, but the overall atmosphere and surrounding environment differ significantly.

  • Which school has a stronger focus on research?

    Both UW-Madison and Virginia Tech are major research universities with significant research funding and activity across various disciplines. UW-Madison is particularly strong in areas like biomedical research, agricultural sciences, and engineering. Virginia Tech excels in engineering, technology, and defense-related research. Both universities offer numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects. The specific research opportunities available will depend on your field of study.

  • How do the acceptance rates and average test scores compare?

    Both UW-Madison and Virginia Tech are selective universities, but acceptance rates can fluctuate. Generally, UW-Madison's acceptance rate is slightly lower than Virginia Tech's, making it marginally more competitive. Similarly, the average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students are typically slightly higher at UW-Madison. However, both universities consider a holistic review of applications, taking into account factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Check the universities' admissions websites for the most recent statistics.

  • What are the popular majors at each university?

    UW-Madison is known for its strong programs in business, engineering, biological sciences, social sciences, and communication. Popular majors include business administration, engineering (various disciplines), biology, political science, and journalism. Virginia Tech is renowned for its engineering, architecture, agriculture, business, and science programs. Popular majors include engineering (various disciplines), business information technology, architecture, biological sciences, and agricultural sciences.

  • What are the career services like at UW-Madison and Virginia Tech?

    Both universities offer comprehensive career services to help students with career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation, and job searching. UW-Madison's Career Services office provides resources tailored to specific academic colleges and departments. Virginia Tech's Career and Professional Development office offers similar services, with a strong emphasis on connecting students with employers in their fields of study. Both universities host career fairs and networking events throughout the year.

  • How do the athletic programs compare?

    Both UW-Madison and Virginia Tech have strong athletic programs and compete in NCAA Division I. UW-Madison is a member of the Big Ten Conference, while Virginia Tech is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). UW-Madison is particularly known for its football, basketball, and hockey programs. Virginia Tech is renowned for its football, basketball, and wrestling programs. Both universities have passionate fan bases and offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports.

  • Which school is a better fit for me?

    The 'better' school for you depends entirely on your individual academic interests, career goals, preferred campus environment, and financial situation. If you're drawn to a vibrant, urban campus with a strong emphasis on research across a wide range of disciplines, UW-Madison might be a good fit. If you prefer a more traditional college town atmosphere with a strong sense of community and a focus on engineering, technology, and agriculture, Virginia Tech might be a better choice. Visiting both campuses, if possible, and talking to current students can provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.

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