College of Engineering Fee
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Virginia Tech charging an engineering fee?
The engineering fee is need-based and important for ensuring the continued availability of the necessary resources to support engineering students including: the continuing need for modernization of instrumentation and materials for instructional laboratories and student projects, improvements to instructional space and aging facilities, and adequate staff support to ensure the effective maintenance of instrumentation and technology in the daily operation of the instructional laboratories.
At Virginia Tech, is it more expensive to educate engineers?
Yes. The university computes that engineering costs $117 more per credit hour than the overall university average making it the most expensive undergraduate program, or the second most expensive program if you include the graduate level College of Veterinary Medicine.
Will the money collected from the Engineering Fee be passed to the College of Engineering?
Yes. The money collected from the Engineering Fee will be passed to the College of Engineering. The revenue will not supplant the College's current base funding.
How will the Engineering Fee be used?
The money collected from the engineering fee will be used to improve the instructional program in engineering. Potential expenses include equipment used in the instructional program, facility improvements related to instructional labs, or personnel support for people working in instructional labs.
As a student, will I see an immediate benefit?
Yes. The College plans to begin some improvement projects as early summer 2007.
Beginning in Fall 2007, what will be the cost of the undergraduate engineering fee?
Beginning in Fall 2007, $30 per credit hour will be charged for all 1000-level engineering courses. At the undergraduate level, the engineering fee will be phased in over a four year period. Beginning in Fall 2008, all students taking 1000- and 2000-level courses will be charged the engineering fee. Students taking 1000-, 2000-, and 3000-level courses will be assessed the engineering fee in Fall 2009. Beginning in Fall 2010, all engineering courses 1000-4000, will be assessed the engineering fee.
In Fall 2007, what will be the cost of the graduate engineering fee?
The graduate engineering fee will be phased in over a 3-year period. Incoming graduate students will be assessed a flat fee of $270 per year beginning in Fall 2007. The flat fee increases to $540 per year beginning in Fall 2008, and $720 per year beginning in Fall 2009.
Will the engineering fee be phased in over time?
Yes. The engineering fee will begin with those students taking 1000-level classes (mostly freshmen) and incoming graduate students for Fall 2007 and be phased in one class at a time. Please see the table below.
What is the estimated cost of the engineering fee to an undergraduate student?
The current tuition and fee structure is included in the Tuition & Fee package. The cumulative increase on tuition and fees would vary in any given year. The amount each student, by class, is estimated to be:
Undergraduate (per academic year)
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshmen 1000-level classes |
$270 * | $270 | $270 | $270 |
| Sophomores 2000-level classes |
$540 | $540 | $540 | |
| Junior 3000-level classes |
$720 | $720 | ||
| Senior 4000-level classes |
$720 |
What is the estimated cost of the engineering fee to a graduate student?
Graduate
At the graduate level, the fee will be phased in over three years. Full-time graduate students will pay the full amount. Part-time graduate students would pay one-half the fee. The charge will begin with incoming graduate students in Fall 2007.
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming 2007 | $270 | $540 | $720 |
| Incoming 2008 | $540 | $720 | |
| Incoming 2009 | $720 |
Why, at the undergraduate level, does it make sense to charge an engineering fee per credit hour?
To ensure that costs are equitably distributed to all students taking engineering courses and students in joint degree programs, the undergraduate engineering fee will be applied in relationship to the number of engineering courses taken. Off campus students and online students equally participate. Charging the engineering fee per credit hour means a lower total cost for freshmen and sophomores and a greater charge for juniors and seniors based on the expected number of engineering courses taken and thus the demand on instructional services which drives costs.
Why, at the graduate level, does it make sense to charge a flat engineering fee?
At the graduate level, the declaration of major is very stable, thus a flat charge can be created based on the average number of credit hours expected at the full-time and part-time level. This will ensure the least complexity on the graduate tuition remission program for graduate students on assistantships. The flat rate would be phased-in and start with incoming graduate students.
Do other institutions in Virginia charge more for an engineering education?
Yes. Virginia Commonwealth University charges a $417 tuition premium for Engineering. George Mason University charges an additional $10-15 per credit hour and/or lab fees from $25 to $50 for Information Technology & Engineering courses.
Do other institutions in the United States charge more for an engineering education?
Yes. A detailed listing of Virginia Tech's peer institutions is shown below. The overall observation is that Engineering programs at peer institutions carry an average premium between $602-$720 over regular rates.
View Engineering Tuition Benchmarks (pdf)
Will additional financial aid be available to assist with the cost of the engineering fee?
Yes. Additional resources will be provided through the student financial aid office to ensure accessibility.