- Both Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) are public.
- Penn State is located in University Park, PA and Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, VA.
- Penn State has more expensive tuition of $40,188 than Virginia Tech ($36,694).
- Penn State has tighter acceptance rate of 50.31% than Virginia Tech (70.06%).
- Virginia Tech has higher SAT scores of 1,330 than Penn State (1,300).
- Penn State is larger with 50,028 students than Virginia Tech (38,170 students).
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus View More Rivals | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University View More Rivals | |
| Rankings | #66 in National Universities #4 in Virginia | |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| University Park, PA | Location | Blacksburg, VA |
Penn State| Known as | Virginia Tech | |
| 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (very high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (very high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $20,234 Pennsylvania residents $40,188 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $15,478 Virginia residents $36,694 out-of-state |
| $25,518 Pennsylvania residents $43,828 out-of-state | Graduate | $18,013 Virginia residents $34,085 out-of-state |
| $11,574 | Financial Aid | $8,832 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $60 undergraduate $75 graduate |
| 50.31% | Acceptance Rate | 70.06% |
| 27.85% | Yield | 35.58% |
| 1,300 SAT, 29 ACT | Test Scores | 1,330 SAT, 30 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 50,028 | Total Students | 38,170 |
| 41,745 | Undergraduate | 30,434 |
| 8,283 | Graduate | 7,736 |
| 116 | Online Enrollment | 1,625 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 83% | Graduation Rate | 86% |
| 1% | Transfer-out Rate | |
| 91% | Retention Rate | 91% |
| $57,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $67,100 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Course (may not Degree Program) Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 14,275) $7,374 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 10,300) $6,168 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 15 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 17 to 1 |
| 2,994 Full-time 621 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 2,109 Full-time 232 Part-time |
| 14,044 Full-time 1,418 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 8,076 Full-time 531 Part-time |
| $100,357 for Faculties $66,773 Part-time | Average Salary | $108,802 for Faculties $67,140 Part-time |