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Virginia Tech - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Full-Time Student Population 27,887
Part-Time Student Population 2,983
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 1,364
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 250
Total FT Faculty 2,079
Faculty with Terminal Degree 89%
Average Faculty Salary $86,220
Full-Time Retention Rate 92%
Part-Time Retention Rate 43%
Transfer-Out Rate 6%
Graduation Rate 80%
Programs/Majors Offered 95
Average Course Load 5 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 23%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 55%
  • 50 or More Students: 21%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Everyone knows Virginia Tech for its engineering departments. While Tech does have an excellent engineering program, there are other programs at the University that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Pamplin College of Business offers degrees in accounting, business information technology, economics, finance, and more. Business management is one of the most popular majors, along with engineering, biology, psychology, and computer science. Besides sciences and business, Tech offers many liberal arts majors. Virginia Tech students in all majors have the advantage of taking classes with professors who are active in their fields. Often, students will even take a class from a professor who wrote the textbook they use in class. Some students do worry that professors get more wrapped up in research than in teaching, and with many foreign professors and TAs, communication can often be a little difficult, but most students will admit that professors are willing to take time to meet with students on an individual basis to provide extra help and advice.

At the beginning of a student’s time at Tech, classes are large (often 300 students or more) and are often taught by graduate students. It is easy for freshmen to feel a little lost and overwhelmed, but classes do get smaller as students get more involved in their majors. With professors who are leading the way in research in their field, Tech students have the unique advantage of learning straight from the people who write the textbooks and even have the opportunity to get involved in their research. While the workload may seem a little overwhelming at times, all a student has to do is take the initiative to show he is interested, and most professors will go out of their way to offer whatever additional help they can.

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Virginia Tech Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Virginia Tech

jacob9

Electrical and Electronics Engineering '15

3.8
B+

Academics

It mainly depends on what major you are going in, but the general classes that you need for every major are not terrible. At times you will get great teachers and at times not so great teachers, how you work around that is if you are not able to change teachers try to talk to them after class to get help on the subject and also ask for help with other students in that class. Koofers is definitely great to use for studying past tests and materials that other students made.

May 18, 2012

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Academics at Virginia Tech

Samcon

Architecture '16

5.0
A+

Architecture and Design

To be an architect student is very demanding and time consuming. The professors expect a lot from you and let you know this up front. Study abroad is offered starting the summer of your first year internships are also offered. I highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to become an architect.

May 13, 2012

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Academics at Virginia Tech

mmmichiko

Finance '14

5.0
A+

Finance

I am on the CFP track at Virginia Tech which will help get right into the field and take the CFP exam with ease. The classes are definitely challenging, but it's nice having a specific track because the specific courses have every one in your class on the same course track, so its easy to relate and get help. It will also help with networking in the future.

Mar 01, 2012

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Page 1 of 20
User rating for Virginia Tech - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 60 user reviews.

Photos of Virginia Tech's Academics

College Students:
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Virginia Tech - Academic BanquetAcademic Banquet
Photo by jpeugh
Academic Banquet This was a 2010 academic banquet for the Alpha Chi Omegas.
Link to this photo
Photo by jpeugh
Virginia Tech - Burruss HallBurruss Hall
Photo by sbhans
Burruss Hall When taking a tour of campus, stop at Burruss Hall to check in.
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Photo by sbhans
Virginia Tech - Studying in Torgerson BridgeStudying in Torgerson Bridge
Photo by sbhans
Studying in Torgerson Bridge Torgerson Bridge provides a quiet place for students to study.
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Photo by sbhans

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: Yes
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4, 5, 6, or 7
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Architecture and Urban Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
  • College of Natural Resources
  • College of Science
  • College of University Studies
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Pamplin College of Business
Degrees Awarded
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Biology and Biological Sciences: 2%
  • Business Administration and Management: 3%
  • Mechanical Engineering: 2%
  • Psychology: 2%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • Math Emporium
  • Newman Library
  • Torgersen Bridge
Did You Know?
  • If you're having trouble writing papers for your freshman English class, head over to the writing center. Tutors there can help with all aspects of perfecting your papers.
  • You can go to www.ratevtteachers.com to see student evaluations of almost every teacher at Tech. The Web site is very helpful when you are deciding what classes to take.
  • The Center for Academic Enrichment & Excellence offers free tutoring for many freshman classes including biology, chemistry, Spanish, math, and more.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Heather Priestley
Hometown
Toano, VA
Major
Wildlife Science

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.