Key differences on Getting in
- 1
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State's yield is 8 pts higher than Pennsylvania State's
Yield rate - 2
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State's SAT midpoint is 35 points higher than Pennsylvania State's
SAT midpoint - 3
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State admits 55% vs. 61% at Pennsylvania State
Acceptance rate
Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Acceptance and yield, test score ranges, test policy, and what each college weighs.
The funnel
Quad's selectivity
- Pennsylvania StateVery selective
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateVery selective
Men and women
Acceptance rate for men and women who applied, where a college reports admissions by sex.
Test scores
SAT total,
Axis runs 1100–1600. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
ACT composite,
Axis runs 23–36. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
Test policy
- Pennsylvania StateTest-optional
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateTest-optional
How they read a record
Pennsylvania State
GPA and the high school record are required; a college-prep program is considered. 48% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
GPA and the high school record are required; a college-prep program is considered.
What they look at
| Factor | Pennsylvania State | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State |
|---|---|---|
| High school GPA | Required | Required |
| High school record | Required | Required |
| Class rank | Not considered | Not considered |
| College-prep program | Considered | Considered |
| Recommendations | Not considered | Not considered |
| Essay | Considered | Required |
| Legacy status | Not considered | Not considered |
| Work experience | Not considered | Not considered |
| Demonstration of competencies | Not considered | Not considered |
| English proficiency test | Required | Required |
| Other tests | Not considered | Not considered |
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, Entered fall 2023;College Scorecard, most recent release;Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Fall 2025), Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why