Elon vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Elon vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($18,825 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 24.5% lower than at Elon University ($11,310 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 123.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $25,912 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at VMI than at Elon University (about $5,680 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at Elon University (81% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 33.3% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($23,821 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 50 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have the same average high school GPA (3.65) as students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Elon vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VMI students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.