Virginia Tech continues to rise in national rankings, showcasing excellence in innovation and student success
Blacksburg, Virginia – Virginia Tech has recently secured its place as a top contender in higher education, ranking impressively in both the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report’s latest college rankings.
Virginia Tech is not only the top institution in Virginia but also ranks sixth best public school statewide and 20th overall among 500 evaluated universities according to the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking. Along with the general student experience, this list ranks colleges based on their improvement of graduates’ prospects for employment and future income.
In yet another great honor, Virginia Tech ranked 21st among the top public universities in the United States News & World Report. Weighing factors including graduation and retention rates, affordability, the value of degrees post-graduation, faculty resources, expert opinions, financial resources, and student test scores, this well-regarded ranking evaluates over 1,400 bachelor’s degree-grading institutions across many categories.
The excellence of Virginia Tech also comes through in its specialized initiatives U.S. News & World Report ranks 8th of its graduate programs in College of Engineering in the top 25, highlighting strength in several fields:
- Environmental Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering both stand at No. 5.
- Civil Engineering is ranked No. 9.
- Biological/Agricultural and Aerospace Engineering are both tied for No. 10 and No. 11 respectively.
- Computer, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering programs are also highly ranked at Nos. 15, 17, and 20 respectively.
These ranks highlight Virginia Tech’s reputation as a complete research university. For around 38,000 students—including professionals, graduates, and undergraduates—it provides almost 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university also oversees a sizable research budget totaling more than $556 million.
Virginia Tech improved seven places in the Best Value Schools category, where Virginia Tech ranked No. 149, among the most obvious changes in the university’s rankings this year. The U.S. News & World Report calculates this ranking by comparing the academic quality to the net cost of attendance for out-of-state students receiving average need-based financial aid. Emphasizing that the best bargains are found among academically above-average institutions, schools must rank in the top half of their categories to be eligible for this distinction.
“Offering a rich and full educational experience to students, including those with financial need, is a foundational part of our land-grant mission,” said Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management. “As we move forward with new initiatives, such as the Virginia Tech Advantage program, we will continue to prioritize access and affordability to ensure Virginia Tech remains open and welcoming to all, regardless of their family income.”
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Other noteworthy rankings for Virginia Tech include:
- Tied for No. 26 in Most Innovative Schools, reflecting significant advancements in curriculum, faculty, campus life, and facilities.
- A jump to No. 40 for undergraduate business programs at the Pamplin College of Business, up seven spots from last year.
- The accounting program at Pamplin tied for No. 48 nationally.
- The psychology and economics programs within the College of Science both earned a top-100 ranking, tied for No. 79 and No. 93 respectively.
Furthermore, proving Virginia Tech’s dedication to create an inclusive and encouraging atmosphere for all of its students, it was placed 17th nationally for Learning Communities and twenty-eighth for Best Colleges for Veterans. These rankings together show Virginia Tech’s dedication to academic quality and student success as well as the range and depth of its instructional programs.
