Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Babson Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 13
- Virginia Polytechnic Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Babson College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 86%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,514 compared to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's $24,953 for in-state paths. Students who choose Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,698 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 52% more than Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 17% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Virginia Polytechnic
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,953, roughly $15,561 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Virginia Polytechnic in Business & Marketing (24%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $81,698.
Pick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University over Babson College. Net price $24,953 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 2.8% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Babson College over Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 93% completion rate vs 86%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are close on paper, but Babson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Babson College is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University takes 55%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,364.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Babson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,953, about $15,561 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Babson College also borrow less: median debt of $20,000, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $62,244 before any change in aid. Choosing Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $81,698 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. That is a 52% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 52% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Babson College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, it is 1.4%. Babson College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to keep costs and debt down; pick Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University saves about $15,561 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $42,240 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,514 runs well above Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's $24,953.
- Engineering-focused students: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's enrollment of 30,923 far exceeds Babson College's 2,728.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Babson holds onto its admits more tightly: 39% of admitted students enroll, versus 25% at Virginia Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Babson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Virginia Polytechnic does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Babson, where only about 25% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
With an enrollment of over 30,000 students, Virginia Tech stands out as a vibrant community for those interested in fields like Business and Marketing, Engineering, and Computer Science. The acceptance rate of 55% means that while it's competitive, many students can find a place here. The strong graduation rate of 86% indicates that students are not just getting in, but also succeeding in completing their degrees, which is a big deal when you think about the investment in time and resources.
For graduates, the financial payoff is significant. On average, alumni earn about $81,698 a decade after finishing their degrees. This level of earnings suggests that the education received here translates well into the job market. While the net price after aid is $24,953, the relatively low median debt of $21,500 means that most students don’t leave with an overwhelming financial burden, making the prospect of repayment more manageable.
When it comes to who thrives at Virginia Tech, students who are practical, focused, and drawn to STEM or business disciplines often find their niche. The campus is supportive and encourages collaboration, which is beneficial for those looking to build networks. With a Pell Grant rate of 15%, it’s clear that some financial aid is available, but it’s important to consider how this fits into your overall financial picture. Ultimately, students who are proactive and engaged with their education here tend to do well both during their studies and as they transition into their careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University appear together in 11 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Babson College ranks #1 — Babson College outranks Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by 36 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 100% of Babson's student body and 24% of Virginia Polytechnic's.
Babson
Virginia Polytechnic
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. while Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University concentrates in Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Babson College is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 55% at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,953 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,698 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Babson College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 86%.
Babson College vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Babson College or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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