Is WashU or Virginia Tech cheaper overall after financial aid and total cost of attendance?

For most students, Virginia Tech ends up cheaper overall, especially for Virginia residents.

WashU can absolutely become the cheaper option for some families, but that tends to happen when the student qualifies for substantial need-based aid. WashU is known for offering very generous institutional financial aid, while Virginia Tech’s aid is typically less likely to erase as much of the bill unless you qualify for specific grants, scholarships, or in-state savings.

The student most likely to find Virginia Tech more affordable is an in-state applicant from Virginia or an out-of-state student who is not expecting large need-based aid.

The student who should look closely at WashU is someone from a lower- or moderate-income family with demonstrated financial need. WashU has a strong reputation for meeting need with institutional aid, so a family that would pay near full price at Virginia Tech could sometimes get a significantly reduced net price at WashU.

If you are asking about a “typical” student without unusually high need-based aid, Virginia Tech is usually the less expensive option overall. If your family has substantial financial need, WashU is the school more likely to surprise you with a lower final number.

The most accurate way to compare them is by each school’s net price calculator, since the answer can swing a lot based on residency and family income.