Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Portland vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
University of Portland
Portland, OR
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
- Portland Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 17
- Virginia Polytechnic Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $24,953 vs University of Portland's $28,210, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Portland
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,804 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,370, the lower of the two
Virginia Polytechnic
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,953, roughly $3,257 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 86% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 55% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Portland graduates concentrate in Health Professions (29% 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 University of Portland over Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Median earnings of $82,804 ten years after enrollment vs $81,698.
Pick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University over University of Portland. Net price $24,953 vs $28,210.
Pick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University over University of Portland. 1.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University over University of Portland. 86% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Portland and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are close on paper, but Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the harder admit. It takes 55% of applicants, while University of Portland takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,277 to 1,364.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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 $3,257 a year below University of Portland's $28,210. Graduates of University of Portland also borrow less: median debt of $21,370, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $13,028 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, University of Portland graduates report median earnings of $82,804, compared with $81,698 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. That is a 1% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates a larger share of its students, 86% versus 80%. 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; at University of Portland, it is 0.9%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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 University of Portland 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 $3,257 a year, yet University of Portland graduates earn $1,106 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Portland concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, while Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,210 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 University of Portland's 2,957.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Portland, where only about 9% 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) 4 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
University of Portland
Portland, OR · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of just under 3,000 students, the University of Portland is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community while still accessing solid academic programs. Students here often dive into popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. An acceptance rate of 89% indicates that the university welcomes a diverse range of applicants, making it an appealing option for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $82,804 within ten years, which can be quite encouraging when considering job prospects. This earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. While nearly a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, the supportive environment helps many move up in their careers, even if specific mobility rates aren’t available.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid sits at $28,210, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $21,370, suggesting that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of student loans. Those who thrive here are often proactive, engaged, and looking for a collaborative atmosphere that values both academic and personal growth.
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
University of Portland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Oregon ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Portland's top program is Nursing (BSN) (29% of enrollment), while Virginia Polytechnic leads with Business Administration (24%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Portland) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Portland is strongest in Health Professions, while Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University concentrates in Social Sciences. 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.
Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Portland or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is harder to get into, admitting 55% of applicants compared with 89% at University of Portland.
Which is more affordable, University of Portland 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 $28,210 at University of Portland.
Do University of Portland or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn more?
University of Portland graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,804 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,698 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Portland or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has the higher graduation rate, 86% versus 80%.
University of Portland vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: which is better for social mobility?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose University of Portland 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 University of Portland 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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