The Virginia Tech, found in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a large public research institution that nearly enrolls 36,000 students. The school has a moderately selective acceptance rate of about 65.77%, making admission competitive but achievable for qualified applicants. Virginia Tech is well-known for its programs in Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. The school has an average graduation rate of 85-87%, while graduates of Virginia Tech enjoy early career salaries of approximately INR 35-38 lakhs annually (£32,000-35,000).
The Vanderbilt University, found in Nashville, Tennessee, is a private research institution that nearly enrolls 13,000 students. The Vanderbilt University has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 4.7%, making admission extremely competitive. The Vanderbilt University is best known for its programs in Medicine, Business, and Law. The school's average graduation rate is close to 94%, while graduates of the Vanderbilt University enjoy early career wages of INR 50-55 lakhs annually (£45,000-50,000).
| Virginia Tech | Vanderbilt University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 251 Times Higher Education 2026 # 358 QS World University 2026 # 281 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 92 Times Higher Education 2026 # 250 QS World University 2026 # 56 Center for World University Rankings 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 | # 39 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 70 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -95 PG Programs -64 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -49 PG Programs -45 |
| Acceptance Rate | 55.0 % | 6.3 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 SAT-1100 TOEFL-90 | GMAT-670 IELTS-7 SAT-1440 TOEFL-89 |
| 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 52780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35475 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11540 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 ranks: #201-250 |
| application requirements | Academic transcripts; GMAT/ GRE scores for graduate admission; 3 LORs; Sop; Resume; Proof of English language proficiency. | Counselor LOR along with 2 academic LORs. CSS profile. Optional alumni interviews may be conducted. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | Owen Graduate School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.3/10 Read 5 reviews | 9.2/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 301 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 18 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 600/800GRE - 308/340IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 96/120 | Duolingo - 130/160GRE - 311/340IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -29448 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -62750 |
| 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) | Jan 1, 2024 (Early Decision 2 Deadline For 2024 Intake) Jan 1, 2024 (Regular Decision Deadline For 2024 Intake) Nov 1, 2024 (Early Decision 1 Deadline For 2024 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Virginia Tech | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1872 | 1873 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1:1 | 3:1 |
| Male:Female | 55% Male, 0% Female | 49% Male, 51% 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 | Located sothwest of downtown West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University is roughly nine miles from Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. It is surrounded by cityscape of Nationville. |
| 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:
| The heard libraries of Vanderbilt have 2,993,999 print items collection, 2,801,503 electronic items collection, 38,627 linear feet in special collection and university archives. It also has 1,118,709 TV and news collection. |
| 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. | You can indulge in various co-curriculars through 430 student organizations and clubs, various events and activities are celebrated throughout the academic year. It also has field 16 varisty sports teams, 40 sports clubs and 40 intramural sports being offered to student. There are also a variety of eating options on campus. |
| Hostel | #Housing - $13330 | #On campus - $11540 |
| 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). | Al Gore (former vice-president of US), James Patterson (author), Mhd. Yunnus (Bangladesi social entrepreneur), Jay Cutler (football quarterback), Lamar Alexander (US senator), David Farr (CEO Emerson Electric), Rossane Cash (singer-songwriter), Robert Penn Warren (poet), James Dickey (poet). |
| 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). | Nashville is culturally rich, commercial hub in the south. It is highly acknowledged for its rich music culture. Nashville has a lot to offer like musical hall of fame, museums, belcourt, metro parks, state parks, etc. There are 30,000 lakes that add on to Nashvilles natural beauty. The unemployement rate for June 2020 is 10.2%. |
| Weather |
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026):
Virginia Tech is included among the top 250 universities in the world, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Engineering, Computer Science, and Business programs. The Vanderbilt University, a private university, is ranked 90th globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is known for its research capacities in Medicine, Business, and Law.
General Information:
Virginia Tech is a large public research university located on a metropolitan campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, with over 200 offered degrees, and serves more than 36,000 students. The Vanderbilt University is a private research university situated on a compact urban campus in Nashville, Tennessee, educating around 13,000 students, and offers a liberal arts and research-focused education in a private institution.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions:
Virginia Tech has a moderately selective admission process with an acceptance rate around 65.77%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. Although the Vanderbilt University has a highly selective acceptance rate (around 4.7%), it also applies a holistic admissions practice and draws students that are searching for a strong regional reputation and a private university experience.
Research Impact & Facilities:
Virginia Tech is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in engineering, technology, and architecture. It operates state-of-the-art labs, research centers, and collaborates with partners worldwide. The Vanderbilt University is also a significant research institution, with notable research facilities in areas such as medicine, engineering, and social sciences, and emphasizes applied research and community engagement.
Cost & Financial Aid:
For international students, Virginia Tech’s tuition averages between $30,000–32,000 per year; the Vanderbilt University’s tuition is higher, averaging $65,008 per year. Both universities offer scholarships and financial aid for international students, with merit and need-based awards available.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success:
Virginia Tech graduates usually enter engineering, technology, and business roles, benefiting from the university’s strong research opportunities and extensive alumni network. Vanderbilt University graduates tend to move into medicine, law, and business sectors, leveraging the school’s strong academic programs and alumni relationships.
