Converse University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Converse University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (1,787 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Converse University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Converse 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 Converse University ($18,825 vs. $19,061).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 15.5% lower than at Converse University ($11,310 vs. $13,380).
• Converse University is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $4,194 more per year; $25,240.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.5% higher at VMI than at Converse University (about $27,398 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $25,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Converse University than at Virginia Military Institute (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Converse University students ($23,821 vs. $18,575).

Converse University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 30 points higher than at Converse University (1130).
• Incoming VMI students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Converse University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Converse University 1010/1250; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Converse University 19/26; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Converse University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Converse University Aug 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Converse University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Converse University (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Converse University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Converse University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Converse 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 Converse University's (60%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $29,100 more per year than Converse University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $1,952 lower median loan debt than Converse University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,952).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Converse University graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Converse University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 58%)

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.