Virginia Tech vs University of South Florida (USF)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and University of South Florida (USF) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a public land-grant research university with an acceptance rate of 69%, while USF, situated in Tampa, Florida, is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 48%. Both universities boast a diverse student body, with Virginia Tech's student population comprising 33% White, 10% Asian, 6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4% Black or African American students, while USF's student body consists of 38% White, 26% Hispanic/Latino, 18% Black or African American, and 10% Asian students. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of South Florida	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Tampa, Florida	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Large	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	90.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	49.4%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1140 - 1330	1210 - 1410
ACT range	24 - 29	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	70.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	50,352	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	24,863	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,279	6,758
Yield rate	25.3%	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: $21,812 Out of state: $32,726	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$11,419	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $4,559 Out of state: $15,473	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,328 Meal plan: $4,240	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $9,965	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $6,281	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $11,370	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	38,011 Men 43.2% Women 56.8%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	11,697 Men 38.6% Women 61.4%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	14.9%	39.5%
International students	9.4%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,468	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New Jersey New York Illinois Pennsylvania	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Business Education	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	74.6%	86.6%
Dropout rate	13.4%	12.3%
Transferred out	10.2%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $105,372 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $120,368 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,164 Year 2: $109,459 Year 3: $115,008 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,251 Year 2: $97,850 Year 3: $102,723 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $100,013 Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,308 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $99,399 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,147 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $90,501 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,332 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $82,432 Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,033 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $81,165 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,306 Year 2: $68,727 Year 3: $79,275 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,711 Year 2: $66,566 Year 3: $79,114	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 main differences between Virginia Tech and the University of South Florida?

Virginia Tech (VT) is a large, public land-grant university known for its strong engineering, technology, and agriculture programs, located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It has a more rural, campus-focused environment. The University of South Florida (USF) is a large, public research university located in Tampa, Florida, with a broader range of programs and a more urban setting. USF is known for its health sciences, business, and marine science programs. VT has a stronger emphasis on tradition and a more residential campus experience, while USF caters to a more diverse student body and offers a wider array of research opportunities.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Virginia Tech is generally considered to have a stronger and more established engineering program than the University of South Florida. VT's College of Engineering is highly ranked nationally and offers a wide range of specialized engineering disciplines. While USF has a growing engineering program, Virginia Tech's reputation and resources in engineering are more extensive.
How do the locations of Virginia Tech and USF differ, and how does that affect student life?

Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, a smaller town in the Appalachian Mountains. This provides a more traditional, campus-centered college experience with a strong sense of community. The University of South Florida is located in Tampa, Florida, a large metropolitan area. This offers students access to a wider range of cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities. USF students may find more off-campus housing options and internship opportunities in their field of study.
What are the tuition and fees like at Virginia Tech compared to USF?

Generally, Virginia Tech's tuition and fees are higher for out-of-state students compared to in-state students. The University of South Florida also has different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and specific tuition information, as costs can vary depending on the program and year. Also, consider the cost of living differences between Blacksburg, VA and Tampa, FL when budgeting.
How do the student bodies at Virginia Tech and USF compare in terms of diversity?

The University of South Florida generally has a more diverse student body than Virginia Tech. USF is located in a major metropolitan area with a large and diverse population, which is reflected in its student demographics. Virginia Tech, while working to increase diversity, has historically had a less diverse student population due to its location and historical context.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both Virginia Tech and the University of South Florida are research universities, but USF has been recognized as a Preeminent State Research University in Florida. Both institutions offer numerous research opportunities for students and faculty, but USF's designation highlights its commitment to research excellence and funding.
What are the athletic programs like at Virginia Tech and USF?

Virginia Tech is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football. The University of South Florida is a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and also has a growing athletic program. Both universities offer a variety of sports for students to participate in and support, but Virginia Tech's athletic programs are generally more well-known nationally.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between Virginia Tech and USF?

Both Virginia Tech and the University of South Florida offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. Virginia Tech's strong alumni network and reputation in engineering and technology can be advantageous for students in those fields. The University of South Florida's location in Tampa provides access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, business, and tourism. The best choice depends on your field of study and career goals.
What is the campus culture like at Virginia Tech versus USF?

Virginia Tech has a strong sense of tradition and school spirit, with a close-knit campus community. The campus culture is often described as friendly and welcoming. The University of South Florida has a more diverse and urban campus culture, with a focus on innovation and research. USF's campus culture is influenced by its location in a major metropolitan area and its diverse student body.
Which university is better for students interested in architecture?

Virginia Tech has a well-regarded and established architecture program. While USF may offer architecture-related courses, Virginia Tech's program is generally considered to be more comprehensive and prestigious. Students specifically interested in architecture should strongly consider Virginia Tech.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.