How Much Does VA Tech Actually Cost?

Hey, guys. I'm seriously considering Virginia Tech and was trying to calculate the total cost. I'm not just talking about tuition, but also housing, meal plans, textbooks, and other expenses. Can someone please help me out?

The total cost of attending Virginia Tech, or any university, is made up of direct costs and indirect costs.

Direct costs are those that will be billed by the university, such as tuition and fees, and room and board if you plan on living on campus.

As of the 2024-2025 academic year, for in-state students, the tuition and mandatory fees at Virginia Tech are approximately $13,152. For out-of-state students, the cost is around $34,362. Room and board come in several tiers, but for a typical double room and the major meal plan, you can expect to pay around $9,272.

Indirect costs are extra expenses that are not billed by the university but are part of attending college. These include books, supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.

At Virginia Tech, the estimated costs for books and supplies are around $1,250 per year. Personal expenses will depend on lifestyle, but the university estimates this to be around $2,500 per year. Travel expenses vary greatly depending on distance from home to school, but are estimated to be around $450 per year (for in-state students) to $1,000 (for out-of-state students).

So a rough estimate for first-year total direct and indirect costs for an in-state student would be approximately $27,574, and for out-of-state students, it would be around $48,784.

Keep in mind that these are estimates; a student's actual costs can vary depending on personal spending habits, specific housing and meal plan selections, and course-related expenses.

If you have difficulty affording these expenses, be sure to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see what grants, work-study opportunities, and loans you may qualify for. Also, check out scholarships offered by the university and outside organizations.