Texas A&M University-College Station vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Texas A&M University-College Station and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are closely matched on financial return. Texas A&M University-College Station scores 89/100 while Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores 89/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Texas A&M University-College Station comes in at $21,315 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - a difference of $3,638 annually, or roughly $14,552 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median of $81,698 compared to $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. The payback period is 6.1 years at Texas A&M University-College Station versus 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Graduates leave Texas A&M University-College Station with a median $17,804 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.33 and 0.43 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas A&M University-Coll... | Virginia Polytechnic Inst... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,154 | $15,948 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,124 | $37,764 |
| Net Price (avg) | $21,315 | $24,953 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $85,260 | $99,812 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $53,600 | $50,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,097 | $81,698 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.9% | 86.2% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 5.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,804 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $189 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.33 | 0.43 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 85.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 85.2% | 83.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.4% | 54.8% |
| Enrollment | 59,615 | 30,923 |
| SAT Range | 1150-1400 | 1280-1450 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas A&M University... | Virginia Polytechnic... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,784 | $11,689 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,317 | $11,670 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,435 | $17,894 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $26,520 | $25,835 |
| $110,001+ | $30,660 | $34,201 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas A&M University... | Virginia Polytechnic... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $129,401 | $144,103 |
| Computer Engineering | $127,042 | $122,026 |
| Applied Mathematics | $85,792 | $117,990 |
| Industrial Engineering | $95,918 | $116,641 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $112,319 | $102,902 |
| Chemical Engineering | $111,073 | $106,011 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,227 | $106,633 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,789 | $104,839 |
| Accounting | $103,662 | $99,528 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,903 | $96,376 |
| Physics | $92,826 | $92,746 |
| Economics | $81,562 | $92,653 |
| Civil Engineering | $92,433 | $88,142 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $85,393 | $88,315 |
| Marketing | $76,035 | $86,338 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas A&M University... | Virginia Polytechnic... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 85 | 88 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 93 | 88 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 89 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Texas A&M University-College Station edges out Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by 0 points (89 vs 89), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Texas A&M University-College Station
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.