Virginia Tech vs University of Georgia (UGA)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and the University of Georgia (UGA) are two highly regarded public research universities with distinct characteristics. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, is known for its strengths in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, while UGA, situated in Athens, Georgia, excels in fields such as business, education, and journalism. With acceptance rates of 69% and 49%, respectively, both universities offer competitive admissions processes. Virginia Tech boasts a diverse student body, with 63% of undergraduates identifying as White, 10% as Asian, 6% as Hispanic/Latino, and 3% as Black or African American. UGA's student population is predominantly White (68%), followed by Asian (9%), Black or African American (8%), and Hispanic/Latino (5%). Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that

	University of Georgia	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Athens, Georgia	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	95.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.0%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1270 - 1450	1210 - 1410
ACT range	29 - 33	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	40.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	39,229	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	15,685	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,819	6,758
Yield rate	37.1%	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)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,622 Out of state: $45,662	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$16,902	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $9,790 Out of state: $28,830	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,292 Meal plan: $4,036	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 $11,045	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,227	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $13,477	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,166 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	9,952 Men 38.2% Women 61.8%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	17.5%	39.5%
International students	4.8%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	10,050	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Texas North Carolina Florida New York	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Communication and Journalism Education Health Professions Engineering	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	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	87.8%	86.6%
Dropout rate	3.6%	12.3%
Transferred out	7.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,603 Year 2: $120,325 Year 3: $122,859 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,544 Year 2: $111,283 Year 3: $122,491 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $117,307 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,726 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $92,754 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,513 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $91,218 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $87,059 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $85,532 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,138 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $79,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,908 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $79,190 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,622 Year 2: $64,068 Year 3: $78,529 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,002 Year 2: $77,144 Year 3: $77,709	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 the University of Georgia?

Virginia Tech (VT) is a public land-grant university known for its strong engineering, technology, and agriculture programs, with a focus on a hands-on, 'Ut Prosim' (That I May Serve) approach. The University of Georgia (UGA) is also a public land-grant university, but it's renowned for its broader liberal arts offerings, including journalism, law, and business, alongside strong agricultural programs. VT has a more pronounced STEM focus, while UGA offers a wider array of academic disciplines and a more traditional college town atmosphere.
Which school is better for engineering programs?

Virginia Tech is generally considered superior for engineering programs. It consistently ranks highly nationally and offers a wide range of specialized engineering disciplines. While UGA has a solid engineering program, Virginia Tech's reputation and resources in engineering are more established and extensive.
How do the campus environments compare?

Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, is situated in a more rural, mountainous setting, creating a close-knit community feel. The campus architecture is distinctive, featuring Hokie Stone. The University of Georgia's campus in Athens, Georgia, is located in a vibrant college town with a lively music and arts scene. Athens offers a more urban and diverse environment compared to Blacksburg.
What are the differences in student life and campus culture?

Virginia Tech's student life is heavily influenced by its Corps of Cadets and strong emphasis on tradition and service. There's a strong sense of school spirit and a focus on community involvement. UGA has a more traditional Southern college experience, with a large Greek life presence and a focus on athletics, particularly football. Both schools offer a wide range of clubs and organizations, but the overall atmosphere differs.
How do the costs of attending Virginia Tech and UGA compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, UGA may be slightly less expensive than Virginia Tech. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition and fees are comparable. It's essential to check the most recent tuition rates and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location.
Which school is stronger in agricultural sciences?

Both Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia have strong agricultural programs, reflecting their land-grant missions. UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is particularly well-regarded for its research and extension programs focused on Georgia's agricultural economy. Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences also has a strong reputation, particularly in areas like animal science and crop production. The 'better' program depends on your specific area of interest within agriculture.
How do the acceptance rates and selectivity compare?

Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia are both selective universities, but UGA generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it marginally more competitive to get into. However, both schools require strong academic records, standardized test scores (if required), and compelling essays.
Which school is better for pre-med or other health-related fields?

Both Virginia Tech and UGA offer strong pre-med programs. UGA benefits from its proximity to medical facilities in Athens and Atlanta, providing more opportunities for clinical experience and research. Virginia Tech's strength lies in its biomedical engineering program, which can be a valuable asset for students interested in medical technology and research. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests within the health field.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from Virginia Tech versus UGA?

Graduates from both Virginia Tech and UGA enjoy strong career prospects. Virginia Tech graduates are highly sought after in engineering, technology, and related fields, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. UGA graduates find opportunities in a wider range of industries, including business, journalism, law, and government, particularly in the Southeast. Your chosen major and career goals will significantly influence your job prospects after graduation from either institution.
How do the research opportunities compare at Virginia Tech and UGA?

Both Virginia Tech and UGA are research universities with significant funding and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Virginia Tech's research is heavily focused on engineering, science, and technology, while UGA's research spans a broader range of disciplines, including agriculture, life sciences, and social sciences. Both universities offer numerous research labs, centers, and institutes where students can gain valuable experience.

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