Drew University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Drew University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,232 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drew University is located in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Drew University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drew University 11:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Drew University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drew 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 Drew University ($18,825 vs. $28,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 35.9% lower than at Drew University ($11,310 vs. $17,640).
• Drew University is 123.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $26,054 more per year; $47,100.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at VMI than at Drew University (about $5,538 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $47,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drew University than at Virginia Military Institute (97% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drew University students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($36,807 vs. $23,821).

Drew University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drew University (1220) is 60 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Drew 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: Drew University 1103/1338; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drew University 24/30; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drew University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drew University Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Drew University (3.1).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Drew University (67.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Drew University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Drew University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drew 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 Drew University's (68%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Drew University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Drew University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drew University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drew University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.