DeSales University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

DeSales University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,972 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

DeSales University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales 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 DeSales University ($18,825 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 18% lower than at DeSales University ($11,310 vs. $13,800).
• DeSales University is 122.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $25,754 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at VMI than at DeSales University (about $5,838 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $46,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($30,909 vs. $23,821).

DeSales University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DeSales University (1180) is 20 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming DeSales University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at VMI (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DeSales University 1090/1260; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DeSales University 27/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DeSales University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DeSales University Aug 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (77.1%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at DeSales University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

DeSales University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DeSales 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).

• The graduation rate at DeSales University is the same as at Virginia Military Institute (69% vs. 69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than DeSales University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DeSales University graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 71%)

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.