Virginia Tech continues to experience incremental growth, as the recently completed fall enrollment census revealed an overall student population nearing 40,000 across all university locations.

The official enrollment of 38,995 is on target with university goals and is highlighted by strong student retention. The census showed an increase in both undergraduate students and in-state students. 

The student population in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and the greater Washington, D.C., area includes:

  • 31,536 undergraduates, up from 31,035 last year
  • 20,660 in-state students, up from 20,296 last year
  • 10,876 out-of-state students
  • 6,751 graduate students
  • 1,853 first generation students
  • 495 Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine students
  • 213 Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students
  • 4,074 international students

“Our census again shows that this university’s commitment to accessibility and affordability is resonating with students,” said Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management. “That and Virginia Tech’s willingness to tackle global challenges continue to make it an attractive place to get an education for students throughout the world.”

Retention rates remain strong

Retention rates remain a point of emphasis for university officials, and the census displayed positive outcomes as well with the university’s first-year retention rate coming in at 94.7 percent overall. Last year’s first-year retention rate was 93.1 percent.

The university’s retention rate was its highest since at least 2015 and has been above 90 percent since that time.

A deeper dive into the numbers

The 2025 first-year class of 7,088 students came from a record 57,700 applicants. The university extended offers to 31,460 of those applicants. 

The first-year students came from 66 countries and entered Virginia Tech with an average GPA of 4.06. And of note, 4,345 of the 7,088 first-year students come from Virginia. 

Virginia Tech also welcomed 1,176 transfer students for this fall. Of that total, 923 are from Virginia.

That is not uncommon for the university, as most of the undergraduate students call Virginia home. Those numbers, though, are important to note because of the university’s Virginia Tech Advantage initiative. 

Launched in 2023, Virginia Tech Advantage is the university’s commitment to make the university more affordable and accessible for in-state undergraduate students with documented financial needs. The initiative focuses on reducing unmet financial needs, increasing support for basic needs such as food assistance and emergency funds, increasing resources for career preparation by facilitating paid internships and co-ops, and increasing resources for transformational learning activities such as study abroad and research experiences.

“This university is committed to cultivating the skills of students by enhancing student financial support,” Espinoza said. “We’re also doing that by promoting career readiness through experiential learning and fostering transformative experiences, and we’re constantly looking at creative ways to ensure that students have the support they need to excel.”

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