Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a large public research institution that enrolls nearly 37,000 students. The school has a selective acceptance rate of about 56–58%, making admission competitive, but possible for qualified applicants. Virginia Tech is well-known for its programs in Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, and Business. The school has an average graduation rate of 83–85%, while graduates of Virginia Tech enjoy early career salaries of approximately INR 50–55 lakhs annually (USD $60,000–66,000).
Northeastern University, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a private research university that enrolls about 28,000 students. The school has a more selective acceptance rate, which is close to 18–20%. Northeastern is best known for its programs in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, and Health Sciences. The school’s average graduation rate is close to 86–88%, while graduates of Northeastern University enjoy early career wages of INR 58–65 lakhs annually (USD $70,000–78,000).
| Virginia Tech | Northeastern University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 251 Times Higher Education 2026 # 358 QS World University 2026 # 281 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 384 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 31 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 451 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 351 for Law by QS World University 2025 | # 34 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 389 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 # 68 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -95 PG Programs -64 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -90 PG Programs -92 |
| Acceptance Rate | 55.0 % | 5.6 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 SAT-1100 TOEFL-90 | Duolingo-105 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 33857 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 23670 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16990 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 19700 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 48000 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21000 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Rankings- #363(QS – World University Rankings 2023) #62(US news an world report-Best National University) ; Top recruiters: Booz, Allen and Hamilton, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Virginia Tech, Lockheed Martin Corp, Capital One Financial Corp; Average Salaries are as follows:
| Graduate employability rankings: #201-250
Some of the top recruiters are Amazon, iRobot, Morgan Stanley, EY, Bose, Blackstone group, Wellington Management etc |
| application requirements | Academic transcripts; GMAT/ GRE scores for graduate admission; 3 LORs; Sop; Resume; Proof of English language proficiency. | LOR- 2 or 3 letters of recommendation, SOP- yes, GPA- 3.5 (89% or more). |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.3/10 Read 5 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 51 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 301 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 68 for Business by US News 2025 # 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 600/800GRE - 308/340IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 96/120 | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -29448 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jul 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Dec 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Virginia Tech | Northeastern University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1872 | 1898 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 55% Male, 0% Female | 44% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Main campus located in Blacksburg; about 40 miles southwest of Roanoke, Virginia; situated on a plateau between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains; includes 213 buildings, 2,600 acres, and an airport | The campus is located near to Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall. It is situated in the heart of Boston and is filled with greenery. Northeastern University lies in the neighborhood of Huntington Avenue. |
| Library | The libraries offer everything from technology-rich spaces, exhibits, and collections to services for managing research data and scholarship. The libraries also assist students and faculty in publishing scholarly works and offer consulting on a wide array of learning, research, and creative activities. They have three libraries on the Virginia Tech campus. It includes:
| More than 50,000 printed books, 861,676 ebooks, 100,887 licenced e-journals, and 116,739 streaming audio and visual titles.The professional research available is accessible to public (open). |
| Campus Life | Globber Connect for students to participate in 100+ student clubs; Globberfest (Annual festival), VT Engage (service-learning and civic engagement center); Recreational Sports Department with 39 intramural sports, on-campus gyms, aquatic centers, more than 100 group exercises classes; Cultural & Community Centers; Women’s Center; Cranwell International Center; Schiffert Health Center; Hokie Wellness that offers peer-led workshops; Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC)- military component of the student body. | 32 intramural sports, 18 varsity sports, and 43 club sports. Additionally, campus offers Fall Fest, Afro Flow Yoga workshop, Field hockey, volleyball, soccer games, Night at the student center, and First pages. |
| Hostel | #Housing - $13330 | #Housing Allowance - $16200 |
| Famous Alumni | 250,000+ living alumni; Hoda Kotb (American-Egyptian broadcaster); Homer Hickam (American author); Bruce Smith (American football player); Jim Buckmaster (CEO of Craigslist Inc.); Charles Camarda (American engineer); Kevin Jones (Former American football player); Rob Wittman (U.S. Representative); Bill Dally (American computer scientist); Collette Wolfe (American actress); Steven Mollenkopf (Chief Executive of Qualcomm). | Shawn Fanning (Computer programmer), Wendy Williams (TV host), Reggie Lewis (basketball player), Jane Curtin (actress), James Franklin Jeffrey (American Diplomat), Jeff Clarke (Executive Chairman of FTD), Albert Sacco (Dean Whitacre College of Engineering), Yale Patt (professor), Mo Cowan (former US Senator). |
| City Life | Blacksburg- incorporated town in Montgomery County, Virginia; Blacksburg has about 43,000 residents and is located in the New River Valley, which is Virginia’s fastest growing region west of Richmond. The city and region get high marks from outdoor enthusiasts and were named the No. 3 new tech hub by Axios. Although there’s always something happening at Virginia Tech, sometimes it’s nice to get off campus and into the outdoors. Southwest Virginia offers great hiking and biking, scenic lakes and drives, and all kinds of festivals. Famous attractions- Armory Art Gallery, Caboose Park, Kent Square, Hahn Horticulture Garden and Lyric Theatre; Annual town events include the International Street Fair and Parade, Steppin’ Out (town’s first annual street festival); Unemployment rate: 3% (Dec 2022). | With a huge student community, the population diversity is vast and lies within the same braoder age group. The city offers a great nightlif with gastropubs, live music, and cocktail bars. Boston’s cosmopolitan excitement is bus-ride away. Average salaries offered within the state are up to 97,5000 USD |
| Weather |
Virginia Tech vs Northeastern University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Virginia Tech is included among the top 300 universities in the world, known for its strong programs in Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, and Business. It has a growing international reputation for its applied research and innovation. Northeastern University is included among the top 200 universities worldwide and is recognized for its programs in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, and Health Sciences, with a distinctive global presence through its co-op model.
General Information
Virginia Tech is a large public research university, located on a suburban campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, with over 280 offered degrees, and serves more than 37,000 students. Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, educating about 28,000 students, and offers an education with a global experiential learning model, situated on an urban campus with international network campuses.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Virginia Tech has a moderate admission selection process with an acceptance rate around 56–58%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. Northeastern University has a much more selective admission process with an acceptance rate around 18–20%, and also draws students that are searching for smaller class sizes and a private education with international opportunities.
Research Impact & Facilities
Virginia Tech is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in engineering, agriculture, and applied sciences. It operates state-of-the-art labs, research centers, and partnerships with industries worldwide. Northeastern University is also a Carnegie R1 research university with strong research funding, but it is particularly known for applied learning, co-op education, and industry partnerships across its global campuses.
Cost & Financial Aid
For international students, Virginia Tech’s tuition averages between USD $33,000–35,000 per year; Northeastern University’s tuition is more expensive and averages between USD $59,000–62,000 per year. Both Virginia Tech and Northeastern offer scholarships for international students, with Northeastern providing merit and global co-op awards, and Virginia Tech providing state need and merit-based aid.
Career Destinations & Graduates’ Success
Virginia Tech graduates usually enter engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business careers, benefitting from the university’s reputation and a large alumni base. Northeastern University graduates tend to move forward into careers in business, technology, computer science, and healthcare, benefitting from the co-op program, strong corporate ties, and international campus connections.
