TAMU is much stronger on energy issues in design - quite rigorous work happening there.

VTech has some very impressive rankings in the DI (Design Intelligence). Top 5 in architecture, and landscape design at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
The belief there is that perhaps they have an well rounded program that would iclude energy saving technology.
Other schools that are noted for sustainability are Auburn and Oregon.

Now, I've never even gone to VTech, so I'm basing this off all I've read through forums and the DI. Try and tap some alumni and see what they say.

VTech is a state school. Would it be to overwhelming to pay the out of state this first year, and then apply for instate the remaining years you are there?

is TAMU stronger on energy issues? VT has competed in 2 solar decathlons and are headed to DE for a third.

I had lots of out-of-state classmates that paid instate, but i think you need to buy a house or something similar to establish domicile... it's much easier in WA than VA.

Believe this has been covered before, but here goes...You can get in-state at VT after a year, but you have to provide a compelling argument to do so, i.e.,

1) Get a Virginia DL (and tags) and Virginia Voter Registration Card immediately upon arrival.

2) Try and find some kind of employment that gets you a Virginia W-2 form.

In other words, you have to actually change your state of residency to Virginia, and their are other "proofs" that you can provide to do this. Go talk to the Graduate School at Tech, and ask them. That's what I did, and I was paying in-state after 1 year.

I went to VT. It was awesome.