Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Purdue University-Main Campus
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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Purdue University-Main Campus are closely matched on financial return. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores 89/100 while Purdue University-Main Campus scores 91/100 - 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, Purdue University-Main Campus comes in at $14,600 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - a difference of $10,353 annually, or roughly $41,412 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median of $81,698 compared to $72,424 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The payback period is 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University versus 5.3 years at Purdue University-Main Campus.
Graduates leave Purdue University-Main Campus with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.43 and 0.40 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Polytechnic Inst... | Purdue University-Main Ca... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,948 | $9,992 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,764 | $28,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,953 | $14,600 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $99,812 | $58,400 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,400 | $49,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,698 | $72,424 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.2% | 83.1% |
| Payback Period | 5.1 yr | 5.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.43 | 0.40 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.9% | 85.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 83.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.8% | 49.9% |
| Enrollment | 30,923 | 44,503 |
| SAT Range | 1280-1450 | 1200-1480 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Polytechnic... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,689 | $5,098 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $11,670 | $6,241 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,894 | $9,438 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,835 | $18,177 |
| $110,001+ | $34,201 | $22,742 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Polytechnic... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $144,103 | $99,896 |
| Computer Engineering | $122,026 | $121,462 |
| Industrial Engineering | $116,641 | $107,031 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $108,726 | $93,976 |
| Materials Engineering | $90,828 | $107,557 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $106,633 | $97,332 |
| Chemical Engineering | $106,011 | $104,514 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,839 | $105,396 |
| Statistics | $94,300 | $104,047 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $102,902 | $85,924 |
| Construction Engineering | $102,699 | $101,108 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,376 | $102,572 |
| Accounting | $99,528 | $90,119 |
| Physics | $92,746 | $67,505 |
| Economics | $92,653 | $83,195 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Polytechnic... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 88 | 94 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 92 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 84 | 87 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 91 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 88 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 91 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Purdue University-Main Campus edges out Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by 2 points (91 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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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Purdue University-Main Campus
Exceptional 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.