Virginia Tech vs Florida State

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Florida State University (FSU) are two prominent universities with distinct characteristics. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, is known for its strong engineering and agricultural programs, while FSU, situated in Tallahassee, Florida, excels in the arts, sciences, and business. With acceptance rates of 69% and 53%, respectively, both universities offer competitive admissions. Virginia Tech boasts a larger student body, with over 30,000 undergraduates, while FSU has a more diverse student population, with a higher percentage of international students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision.

	Florida State University	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Tallahassee, Florida	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	94.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	37.1%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1180 - 1340	1210 - 1410
ACT range	26 - 30	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	65.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	36.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	65,235	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	24,183	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,619	6,758
Yield rate	31.5%	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: $23,476 Out of state: $36,606	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$12,684	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $4,022 Out of state: $16,540	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,020 Meal plan: $4,856	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $10,620	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $4,996	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $13,430	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,593 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	11,537 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	15.7%	39.5%
International students	4.2%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	6,709	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida Georgia New Jersey New York Illinois	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	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	83.2%	86.6%
Dropout rate	10.9%	12.3%
Transferred out	5.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $86,926 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $102,429 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,442 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $89,448 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,610 Year 2: $68,305 Year 3: $78,263 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,971 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,057 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,179 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $77,718 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $78,794 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $77,527 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,567 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,845 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,881 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $74,476 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $74,364 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,216 Year 2: $60,325 Year 3: $72,686	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 Virginia Tech and Florida State University?

Virginia Tech (VT) is a public land-grant university located in Blacksburg, Virginia, known for its strong engineering, technology, and agriculture programs. It has a more rural setting and a strong emphasis on research and hands-on learning. Florida State University (FSU), located in Tallahassee, Florida, is also a public university but is known for its strong programs in arts, humanities, social sciences, and law. FSU offers a more vibrant campus life with a greater emphasis on the performing arts and a location in a state capital.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Virginia Tech is generally considered to have a stronger and more highly ranked engineering program than Florida State University. VT's College of Engineering is nationally recognized and offers a wide range of specialized engineering disciplines. While FSU offers engineering programs, they are not as highly ranked or as comprehensive as those at Virginia Tech.
How do the campus environments compare?

Virginia Tech's campus is located in a more rural, mountainous setting in Blacksburg, Virginia, offering a traditional college town atmosphere. It's known for its beautiful scenery and strong sense of community. Florida State University's campus is located in Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida, providing a more urban environment with access to city amenities and a more diverse cultural scene. FSU's campus is known for its vibrant student life and proximity to state government offices.
What are the differences in tuition and cost of attendance?

Generally, Virginia Tech's tuition and cost of attendance are lower for in-state students compared to Florida State University's in-state rates. However, out-of-state tuition at Virginia Tech can be higher than at Florida State University. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and specific cost information based on your residency status and program of study.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both Virginia Tech and Florida State University are research universities, but Virginia Tech has a stronger overall emphasis on research, particularly in STEM fields. VT receives significant funding for research projects and has numerous research centers and institutes. FSU also conducts significant research, especially in areas like physics, chemistry, and social sciences, but VT's research footprint is generally larger.
How do the student bodies compare in terms of size and diversity?

Virginia Tech typically has a slightly smaller student body than Florida State University. Both universities attract students from diverse backgrounds, but FSU tends to have a larger proportion of students from Florida and a more diverse student population overall, reflecting the demographics of the state. Virginia Tech draws a significant number of students from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Which university is better for students interested in architecture or design?

Virginia Tech has a well-regarded College of Architecture and Urban Studies, offering a range of programs in architecture, design, and planning. While Florida State University offers some design-related programs, Virginia Tech is generally considered to be the stronger choice for students specifically interested in architecture and urban planning.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Both Virginia Tech and Florida State University have strong athletic programs and compete in the NCAA Division I. Virginia Tech is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and its football team is particularly popular. Florida State University is also in the ACC and is known for its successful football, baseball, and basketball programs. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and have passionate fan bases.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both Virginia Tech and Florida State University offer comprehensive career services to their students, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Virginia Tech's strong reputation in engineering and technology often leads to excellent job placement rates for graduates in those fields. Florida State University also has strong job placement rates, particularly in fields like business, communication, and government. The best choice depends on your specific field of study.
Which university is better for students interested in political science or government?

Florida State University, located in the state capital of Tallahassee, offers unique advantages for students interested in political science and government. Its proximity to the Florida State Capitol provides opportunities for internships, research, and networking with state government officials. While Virginia Tech offers political science programs, FSU's location gives it a distinct advantage in this field.

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