Virginia Tech vs Purdue University: Which is better to study in USA?

Virginia Tech vs Purdue University - West Lafayette

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech, is a public university operating across 10 schools and colleges.The university currently ranks the highest in Times Higher Education World Rankings 2023 and placed between #251-300. Purdue University rankings are among the top 150 in the world according to reputed ranking agencies. The university is ranked at #=129 in the QS World University Rankings, 2023 with a score of 92.2 in International Research Network

Overview Comparison
Virginia TechPurdue University
ranking (overall)# 389 QS World University 2025
# 47 US News 2024
# 251 QS World University 2024
# 89 QS World University 2025
# 28 QS World University 2024
# 43 US News 2024
Subject Strength# 30 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 358 for Medicine by QS World University 2024
# 251 for Law by Times Higher Education 2022
# 4 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 167 for Medicine by QS World University 2024
# 301 for Law by QS World University 2024
ProgramsUG Programs -95
PG Programs -65
Doctorate Programs -1
UG Programs -199
PG Programs -57
Doctorate Programs -7
Acceptance Rate71.0 %56.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-600
IELTS-6.5
SAT-1180
TOEFL-90
IELTS-7.5
SAT-1150
TOEFL-100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   33857
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  23670
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 24705 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   31104
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28203
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 33118 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:

  • MBA :  $134,000 
  • Master (Other) : $120,000 
  • Bachelor of Science :  $83,000 
  • Masters in Science  :  $80,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts :  $55,000

Top recruiters are Cummins Inc, Boeing Company, Eli Lily and Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, etc.

  • Doctorate:  $120,000 
  • MBA:  $107,000 
  • Executive MBA: $95,000 
  • Masters in Science: $85,000  
  • Bachelor of Science: $78,000 
  • Masters of Arts: $75,000 

application requirements

Academic transcripts; GMAT/ GRE scores for graduate admission; 3 LORs; Sop; Resume; Proof of English language proficiency.

Avg GPA required- 3.6 (grade B). Include essay and answers to Purdue questions along with applicant profile. 

Campuses and B-SchoolsNAKrannert School of Management
CollegeDunia Reviews8.0/10 Read 4 reviews7.8/10 Read 15 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsVirginia TechPurdue University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1872
1869
Student:Faculty Ratio14:1
17:1
Male:Female57% Male, 43% Female58% Male, 42% 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


West Lafayette campus located in Indiana is the flagship campus of Purdue University System


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:

  • Primary Civil War documents in Special Collections
  • Women in Art + Architecture collection
  • More than 1 million e-books
  • More than 6,800 DVDs
  • Thousands of 16 mm films
  • Bestselling books, including recently published fiction and non-fiction


9 libraries: 6 subject-oriented, Hicks Undergraduate Library, VIrginia Kelly Karnes Archives, Special Collection Research Center, Includes 3,317,331 printed volumes and electronic books; 227,814 electronic and print journals; 400,000 microforms and government documents.


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.


Over 1000 sports clubs and organizations such as A Cause for Paws, Make and Go Maker Space Initiative, 3D Printing Club, Accounting Association, Center for Democratic Citizenship


Hostel#Room & Board (Private) - $12028
#Room and Board - $12677
#Room and board - $12820
#Triple Room - $4680
#Large Double shared Bathroom - $6484
#Single room - $9134
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).


23 astronauts including Neil Armstrong (first man to walk on moon), Edward Mills Purcell (Nobel laureate, physicist), Yitang Zhang (mathematician), Jeffrey Lacker (Federal Reserve Bank president), James Thompson (CEO of Rand Corporation)


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).


Lafayette – West Lafayette is situated between Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis; Has over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, many nationally and international known high-tech corporations and institutions; population is approximately 190,000


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