Arcadia vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Arcadia vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or VMI? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Military Institute than Arcadia ($18,825 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 34.2% lower than at Arcadia University ($11,310 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 135.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $28,564 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at VMI than at Arcadia University (about $3,028 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($34,705 vs. $23,821).

Arcadia vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or VMI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VMI and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 10 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Arcadia vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and VMI? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.