Virginia Tech
- Academics

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Virginia Tech - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

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 2,163
Faculty with Terminal Degree 89%
Average Faculty Salary $87,367
Full-Time Retention Rate 91%
Part-Time Retention Rate 75%
Transfer-Out Rate 6%
Graduation Rate 78%
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

naridano

'15

Mechanical Engineering

4.6
A

Academics

I am at VTech for engineering, the campus is amazing and the academics are challenging. i plan to get involved in the co-op program in my junior year.

Jan 18, 2012

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Academics at Virginia Tech

gorsuchc

'10

Computer Engineering

4.2
A-

Just Like the Majority

Since it is a large state college, being an engineer is like the majority of students. A lot of the college is engineers and therefore it is a very good major to be in.

Jan 08, 2012

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Academics at Virginia Tech

dani117

'15

Aerospace Engineering

5.0
A+

Challenging but Help Is Available

You can always get help if you don't understand the material being covered, but it's hard enough that you actually have to work. Additionally, all the professors are experienced and very knowledgable in their field.

Jan 02, 2012

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Photos of Virginia Tech's Academics

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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.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at VT

Name: Heather Priestley

Hometown: Toano, VA

Major: Wildlife Science

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school