Virginia Tech a top 20 public university nationally in latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings

Virginia Tech has been ranked as one of the top 20 public universities in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, which were released Tuesday.

Virginia Tech tied for No. 52 overall in the National Universities class, which includes both public and private institutions. It moved up two spots from a year ago to tie for No. 19 among top public universities.

U.S. News & World Report ranks bachelor’s degree-granting institutions in the United States annually to help prospective high school students find their best fits for college. The publication divided its rankings of more than 1,400 schools by divisions of National Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and Ph.D. programs.

The methodology for determining scores varies among categories. The publication used 19 measures of academic quality in the Top Public Schools category, including graduation rates, retention rates, affordability, value of the degree after graduation, faculty resources, financial resources, test scores, and opinion of experts, such as presidents and provosts.

College of Engineering well-represented

Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering has shown up extensively in these rankings over the years, and this year is no exception.

The college’s undergraduate engineering programs tied for No. 15 nationally among universities that offer a Ph.D. option. Scores in the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs category were based solely on peer assessment.

Experiential learning opportunities, The Bridge Experience Program, and the innovative changes to the curriculum like the new AI minor are examples that contributed to the College of Engineering’s rankings.

In addition, undergraduate-themed focuses such as the Human Powered Submarine team, study abroad trips involving bridge construction, history and architecture, creating talent for the mining industry, and the aforementioned Bridge Experience Program have received national acclaim, also demonstrating why the college is recognized as a leader among its peers.

“Our students receive a top-tier engineering education grounded in fundamentals, experiential learning, and the thoughtful use of emerging technologies,” said Warren Dixon, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering. “As we embrace artificial intelligence as an educational tool, we are also strengthening the hands-on experiences that define a Virginia Tech engineering education — from the classroom and lab to design teams, undergraduate research, and industry — sponsored projects. This combination of technical depth, practical learning, and innovation prepares our graduates to tackle real-world challenges and make an impact in their careers and communities on day one.”

Various programs within the College of Engineering scored well, led by the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Its industrial/manufacturing program tied for sixth nationally.

Other engineering programs that came in highly ranked included the following:

Also, the undergraduate computer science program, which is housed in the College of Engineering, was rated tied for No. 28 nationally.

The Pamplin College of Business made the biggest jump among Virginia Tech’s individual colleges.

Pamplin’s undergraduate business program tied for No. 39 overall — a jump of 12 spots from the 2026 Best Colleges rankings.

“At Pamplin, we are committed to preparing students to make an impact from day one of their careers,” said Saonee Sarker, Richard E. Sorensen Dean of the Pamplin College of Business. “Through innovative, AI-enhanced learning and embedded real-world experiences, our students learn by doing, so they are better prepared for the proof economy and can lead with confidence. This national recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, the achievements of our students, and the growing momentum behind our vision for the future of business education.”

Virginia Tech was ranked No. 42 nationally for best value for in-state students (National Universities division).

Also, the undergraduate economics and psychology programs within the College of Science earned top 100 rankings. The psychology programs were tied for No. 73, while the economics programs ranked tied for No. 88.

In addition, the university also ranked No. 14 nationally in the Learning Communities category and tied for No. 28 nationally in the Best Colleges for Veterans category.

A complete listing of Virginia Tech’s worldwide and national rankings from various publications and other outlets can be found online.