Bellarmine University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Bellarmine University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,886 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bellarmine University 12:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Bellarmine University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University ($18,825 vs. $23,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 4.1% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($10,850 vs. $11,310).
• Bellarmine University is 131.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $27,724 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at VMI than at Bellarmine University (about $3,868 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $48,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 63.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($39,001 vs. $23,821).

Bellarmine University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 20 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1140).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Bellarmine University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bellarmine University 1030/1250; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bellarmine University 23/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bellarmine University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Bellarmine University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Bellarmine University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University's (66%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Bellarmine University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $50,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute and Bellarmine University graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Military Institute and Bellarmine University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bellarmine University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.