Virginia Tech vs Berkeley

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) are two prestigious universities with distinct characteristics. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, offers a vibrant campus life with a strong focus on engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. UC Berkeley, situated in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California, is renowned for its academic excellence in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and social sciences. While both universities share a commitment to providing a top-notch education, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of California-Berkeley	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Berkeley, California	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	96.0%	92.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	14.4%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1210 - 1410
ACT range	N/A	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		83.0%
Students submitting ACT score		35.0%
Total number of applicants	112,843	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	16,295	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,931	6,758
Yield rate	42.5%	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)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $37,920 Out of state: $67,674	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$17,652	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	$20,236	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)	52.0% Average amount $21,406	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	15.0% Average amount $4,586	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $7,122	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,814 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	13,222 Men 51.7% Women 48.3%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	16.9%	39.5%
International students	18.0%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	9,630	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Health Professions	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.8%	86.6%
Dropout rate	6.3%	12.3%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $171,936 Year 3: $191,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $167,052 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $125,250 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $161,399 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $126,367 Year 2: $128,868 Year 3: $160,666 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,390 Year 2: $142,470 Year 3: $143,984 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $119,358 Year 3: $143,516 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,442 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $112,973 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $74,750 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $104,601 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,600 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $103,738 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,282 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $102,543	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 key differences in location and campus environment between Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley?

Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, a more rural and suburban environment, offering a traditional college town experience with a strong sense of community. UC Berkeley, on the other hand, is situated in Berkeley, California, a vibrant and urban area directly across the bay from San Francisco. Berkeley provides access to a diverse cultural scene, a bustling city environment, and proximity to Silicon Valley.
How do the academic programs at Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley compare?

Both universities are highly regarded academically. UC Berkeley is particularly strong in STEM fields, humanities, and social sciences, often ranking among the top universities globally in these areas. Virginia Tech excels in engineering, architecture, and agriculture, with a growing reputation in other fields. The specific program strengths will vary; research the departments relevant to your academic interests at each institution.
What is the cost of attendance like at Virginia Tech versus UC Berkeley?

Generally, the cost of attendance at UC Berkeley is higher than at Virginia Tech, especially for out-of-state students. This includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset these costs. Research the specific tuition rates and financial aid packages available for your residency status at each school.
How does the student body and campus culture differ between the two universities?

Virginia Tech has a strong sense of school spirit and a close-knit community, fostered by its location and traditions. The student body is generally more homogenous. UC Berkeley boasts a highly diverse student body, reflecting the multicultural environment of the Bay Area. The campus culture is known for its activism, intellectual curiosity, and a more independent atmosphere.
What are the research opportunities like at Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley?

Both universities offer extensive research opportunities. UC Berkeley is a world-renowned research institution with significant funding and resources, providing students with access to cutting-edge research across various disciplines. Virginia Tech also has a strong research focus, particularly in engineering and technology, with growing research initiatives in other fields. The availability of specific research opportunities will depend on your chosen field of study.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both universities have robust career services departments that assist students with internships, job searches, and career development. UC Berkeley's location in the Bay Area provides access to numerous tech companies and other industries, potentially leading to more opportunities in certain fields. Virginia Tech's strong engineering and technology programs also attract recruiters, and its career services are well-regarded. Job placement rates are generally high at both institutions, but the specific industries and geographic locations of job placements may differ.
What are the housing options like at Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley?

Virginia Tech offers a variety of on-campus housing options, creating a strong residential community. Off-campus housing is also available in Blacksburg. UC Berkeley has a more limited supply of on-campus housing, and the cost of off-campus housing in the Bay Area is generally higher. Students at Berkeley often live in apartments or shared housing in the surrounding city.
How do the extracurricular activities and student life differ?

Virginia Tech has a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football. UC Berkeley also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a diverse array of student organizations, cultural events, and a strong focus on social and political activism. The specific activities and interests of students will vary based on the campus culture and location.
Which university is better for someone interested in a specific field, such as engineering or computer science?

Both universities have strong programs in engineering and computer science. Virginia Tech is particularly well-regarded for its engineering programs, especially in areas like aerospace and civil engineering. UC Berkeley is also a top-ranked institution for computer science and engineering, with strong ties to Silicon Valley. The best choice depends on your specific interests and the faculty expertise within your chosen field. Research the specific departments and faculty at each university to determine the best fit.
How does the application process differ between Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley?

Both universities use the Common Application. UC Berkeley is generally considered more selective, with a lower acceptance rate. Admission requirements, including standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), essays, and extracurricular activities, are similar. Research the specific application deadlines and requirements for each university, as they may vary slightly.

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