HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Military Institute is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampden Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampden Sydney College 9:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($18,825 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 32.4% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($11,310 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 159.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $33,504 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Virginia Military Institute (about $1,912 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $52,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 70.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($40,720 vs. $23,821).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 20 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at HSC- Hampden-Sydney).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 31.7% at VMI.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 Hampden Sydney College's (67%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSC- Hampden-Sydney students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.