Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering has a long and distinguished history. It began in 1872 as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, with instruction in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemistry. Over the years, the college has evolved to meet the changing needs of society and industry. In 1903, a separate department of electrical engineering was established. In 1916, the college was renamed Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and offered instruction in agriculture, chemistry, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and physics.
In 1945 VPI was designated a Land-Grant College under The Smith-Lever Act and soon thereafter changed its name to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPISU). During this time period the college saw tremendous growth with new departments such as aeronautical engineering being established. The 1970s saw a period of expansion with new departments such as computer science being added to meet the needs of industry. By 1974 VPISU had become one of only three universities in the country to offer all eight major fields of engineering study: agricultural and biological systems engineering; chemical; civil; computer science; electrical; industrial/systems; materials science/engineering; and mechanical/aerospace.
In 1996 VPISU changed its name again to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) when it merged with Radford University’s College of Technology to become one unified university system. Since then many more departments have been added including biomedical engineering which has grown rapidly due to advances in medical technology over recent years. Today Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering is one of the top ranked programs in the nation due to its commitment to providing students with an education that is both comprehensive and cutting edge.
As one of the best engineering schools in the state of Virginia, Virginia Tech College of Engineering has reported the following admissions statistics, including the acceptance rate, average GPA/GRE scores, and minimum TOEFL scores for iBT and paper test. Also covered is overall rankings and tuition scholarship information for Virginia Tech College of Engineering.
The Virginia Tech College of Engineering has an acceptance rate of 40%. The average GPA for admitted students is 3.7, and the average SAT score is 1290. The average ACT score for admitted students is 28. The college also requires applicants to have completed at least four years of mathematics, four years of science, and two years of a foreign language. Additionally, all applicants must submit an essay and letters of recommendation.
The College of Engineering at Virginia Tech offers a variety of undergraduate programs, including aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and ocean engineering. The college also offers graduate degrees in many areas including civil and environmental engineering; computer science; electrical and computer engineering; mechanical engineering; ocean engineering; nuclear science & technology; systems operations & information security; bioengineering & health systems; energy sciences & technology; space sciences & exploration technologies; materials science & nanotechnology; robotics and autonomous systems.
Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering has great faculty who are committed to helping their students succeed in their academic goals. Many faculty members have won prestigious awards for teaching excellence or research achievements such as the National Science Foundation CAREER award or the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Additionally, many faculty members have been appointed to national academies such as the National Academy of Engineering or the American Academy for Arts & Sciences.
Fall 2022 Admissions Statistics
Total applicants (master’s and Ph.D.)
3,912
Total acceptances (master’s and Ph.D.)
929
Overall acceptance rate
23.7%
Fall 2022 Admissions Information
Application deadline for U.S. residents
rolling
Application fee for U.S. residents
$45
Application deadline for international students
N/A
Application fee for international students
$70
Director of admissions
Dr. Karen P. DePauw
2022 Entering Class GPA and GRE Scores
GRE required?
The GRE is required for all departments.
Average GPA of new entrants in master’s program
N/A
Number reporting GPA for master’s programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
N/A
Number reporting verbal GRE score for master’s programs
N/A
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
N/A
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for master’s programs
N/A
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
N/A
Number reporting writing GRE score for master’s programs
N/A
Average GPA of new entrants in doctoral program
N/A
Number reporting GPA for doctoral programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
N/A
Number reporting verbal GRE score for doctoral programs
N/A
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
N/A
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for doctoral programs
N/A
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
N/A
Number reporting writing GRE score for doctoral programs
N/A
Average GPA of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
3.50
Number reporting GPA for both master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
438
Number reporting verbal GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
744
Number reporting quantitative GRE scores for master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
4.00
Number reporting writing GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
TOEFL
TOEFL required for international students?
Yes
Minimum TOEFL score required for computer test
213
Minimum TOEFL score required for paper test
550
Ranking: Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the best engineering schools in the nation. According to the US News & World Report, the college has been ranked among the top 25 engineering schools in the nation for 11 consecutive years. It is also ranked #17 for their graduate program. The college is renowned for its research and development capabilities, providing students with access to some of the most advanced technology and equipment available today. It has a strong focus on student-centered learning, providing them with hands-on experience as well as access to leading faculty and researchers from around the world. Virginia Tech College of Engineering also boasts a strong alumni network, connecting students with successful professionals from various engineering fields. With more than 10,000 alumni employed in various engineering positions across the globe, Virginia Tech College of Engineering provides an invaluable resource for those looking to further their career in engineering.
Top Engineering Schools
Score
57
Peer assessment score (5.0 highest)
3.7
Recruiter assessment score (5.0 highest)
3.8
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
744
Overall acceptance rate
23.7%
2020 Ph.D. student/faculty ratio
2.6
Faculty membership in National Academy of Engineering
2.5%
2020 Engineering school research expenditures (in millions)
$115.6
Research expenditures per faculty member (in thousands)
$335.0
2020 Ph.D.’s granted
135
Total graduate engineering enrollment
1,936
Tuition & Financial Aid: Virginia Tech
Financial Aid Contact Information
Financial aid director
Dr. Barry Simmons, Sr.
Financial aid phone
(540) 231-5179
2022-2023 Expenses
Tuition
In-state, full-time: $7,880 per year, part-time: $657 per year; Out-of-state, full-time: $14,840 per year, part-time: $1,237 per credit
