Campus Photo Tour
Be sure to visit the campus highlights page for more information on some of Virginia Tech's lesser-known attractions.
Located in Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech encompasses eight undergraduate colleges and a graduate school. We are also home to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. We offer more than 150 bachelor’s degree programs and 150 master’s and doctoral degree programs. With more than 33,000 full-time students, we have a 14:1 student to faculty ratio. Our main campus consists of more than 213 buildings, 2,600 acres, and an airport. Virginia Tech is ranked 44th in university research in the United States.
Burruss Hall
Burruss Hall, named for former VPI president Julian Burruss, is the main administration building on campus. It also contains a 3,003-seat auditorium, a venue where major events such as commencement, presidential speeches, concerts, and arts shows are held. Burruss, like many of the buildings on campus, features a native limestone, which we refer to as "Hokie Stone."
In front of Burruss is the April 16 Memorial, which features 32 engraved Hokie Stones that honor the memory of the Hokies who lost their lives.
Burchard Plaza
Burchard Hall is an underground studio space for students in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. The pyramids on the plaza allow natural light into the studio spaces. At the back of the plaza, Cowgill Hall also houses student studios, offices, and galleries for the college. Many of the college's programs are consistently ranked among the top in the country.
Engineering Quad
Just past Burruss Hall is the Engineering Quad, home to many of the classrooms, offices, and laboratories used by the College of Engineering. At the end of the Engineering Quad is the Joseph F. Ware, Jr. Advanced Engineering Laboratory, home to a number of undergraduate engineering student design projects. It includes a showroom, machine shop, welding shop, computer-aided design and manufacturing laboratory, eight self-contained project bays, and an additional project area on the ground floor. Engineering students from all academic levels and departments use this facility to design, fabricate, and test their projects.
McBryde Hall
On the corner of the Drillfield stands McBryde Hall, home to the Departments of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Sociology. Most students will take at least one course in this building during their time at Virginia Tech. McBryde Hall was named for former VPI president John McLaren McBryde, who helped shape the university by adopting the motto Ut Prosim and establishing the school colors of orange and maroon.
Torgersen Hall
Torgersen Hall is heavily focused on technology and is a popular study space for many students. It offers computer labs, auditorium-style classrooms, and a variety of study areas with ample computer access. Torgersen Bridge, which spans Alumni Mall, is a quiet study space that accommodates laptops and provides a comfortable, library-like environment.
The Pylons & War Memorial Chapel
The upper level of War Memorial Court is a significant place for Hokies. The eight limestone pylons are etched with the names of Virginia Tech students and graduates who have died in battle, beginning with World War I. The Pylons reflect Virginia Tech’s core values: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and the university motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
War Memorial Chapel is located beneath the Pylons and is entered from the Drillfield. The chapel is available to students, faculty, staff, and visitors seeking a calm, quiet place for reflection.
Upper Quad
Upper Quad is home to the Corps of Cadets and includes many of the oldest buildings on campus, originally constructed of brick before the adoption of Hokie Stone. When the university first opened, all students were admitted as cadets. Today, the co-ed program includes more than 1,000 cadets representing all branches of military ROTC.
Upper Quad also houses the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, with programs such as English and Communication located in Shanks Hall.
Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts is a modern facility serving Blacksburg and the New River Valley. It includes a 1,260-seat performance hall, visual arts galleries, an amphitheater, a four-story experimental cube, and multiple studios that support the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology.
The center also houses a multimedia studio, production control room, newsroom, and classrooms that support the Department of Communication.
Squires Student Center
Squires Student Center is a hub of student activity. Inside, you’ll find a food court, an art gallery, multiple stages and theater production spaces, and offices for student publications such as the Collegiate Times and campus radio station.
BreakZone, located inside Squires, offers a bowling alley, billiards, ping pong, and more. Squires is also a central place to learn about campus events and student organizations.
Carol M. Newman Library
Torgersen Bridge connects Torgersen Hall to the Carol M. Newman Library, the primary library on campus. Newman offers floors for both quiet study and group work, along with a café on the lower level.
Computers, printing services, and research assistance are available for student use. The library maintains extended hours during the semester and often provides snacks and drinks during final exam periods.
Residence Halls
Just up the hill from Owens Dining Hall is Prairie Quad, a collection of newer, suite-style residence halls.
Other residence halls on campus follow a traditional layout with community bathrooms on each floor. Room styles vary, but most are designed for double occupancy.
Dining Facilities
One of the most widely talked about parts of Virginia Tech is our award-winning dining. Much of that praise comes from our amazing dining centers and the dining experience they provide. Turner Place is a state-of-the-art dining facility located behind McBryde Hall on Old Turner Street on the academic side of campus. With glass walls and grand entrances throughout, Turner Place has a light, open feel. Housing eight separate restaurants, it offers a variety of cuisine that includes national brands and unique venues, some of which are the first of their kind on a university campus.
- Dietrick Hall (7 Dining Options)
- Owens Hall
- Hokie Grill and Co. at Owens Hall (4 Dining Options)
- Owens Food Court at Owens Hall (12 Dining Options)
- Perry Place (9 Dining Options)
- Squires Student Center
- Squires Food Court (2 Dining Options)
- Lavery Hall (10 Dining Options)
- Johnston Student Center
- Viva Market (1 Dining Option)
- Cochrane Hall
- West End (7 Dining Options)
Fitness Centers
There are two main gyms on campus. McComas Hall houses the Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center, Charles W. Shiffert Health Center, and the Department of Recreational Sports. Its facilities include three gymnasium and volleyball courts, a cardio and weight training area, a swimming pool, aerobic studios, a suspended track, locker rooms, and a lounge area.
In addition, War Memorial Gym offers swimming, aerobics, weight training, racquetball, wallyball, and squash courts. Smaller fitness centers are also located in several residence halls and are available to residents.
Athletic Facilities
Can you tell how we feel about our Hokie athletic teams? Our students practically live in maroon and orange. You can hear their thunderous cheers during home games at Lane Stadium. As members of the elite Atlantic Coast Conference, the Hokies provide fans a chance to attend some of the most competitive games in the nation.
The Drillfield
The Drillfield is considered the center of campus and serves as a natural divide between academic and residential life. Between classes, the grassy expanse fills with students heading across campus. For those not in class, the Drillfield is a popular place to relax or start a pickup game of frisbee.
Downtown Blacksburg
If you follow College Avenue away from campus, you will find yourself in downtown Blacksburg. Along the way, you will pass Theater 101, a facility operated by the School of Performing Arts and Cinema with both indoor and outdoor performance spaces. Downtown Blacksburg offers a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options and hosts events throughout the year, including street fairs and community parades.
Southwest Virginia
Blacksburg, nestled on a plateau between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, offers a unique setting in Southwest Virginia. Home to approximately 42,600 residents, the town is considered small by most standards, but its impact extends far beyond its size.
Known for its award-winning services, reasonable cost of living, safety, moderate climate, and abundant recreational opportunities, Blacksburg is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the country and is recognized as a well-managed, stable, and forward-looking community.
Visit Us!
Want to see if Virginia Tech is right for you? Register to visit campus and get a better sense of what student life in Blacksburg is like. We offer admissions information sessions and student-led walking tours when classes are in session.
Campus tours typically follow each information session and are led by Hokie Ambassadors, a group of dedicated students who volunteer their time to show you around campus. Tours last about an hour and primarily cover the exterior of campus.
last updated Jun 2024