Hollins College vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Hollins University in Roanoke, 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 Hollins College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 761 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hollins University is located in Roanoke, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Hollins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hollins University 8:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Hollins College vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hollins College 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 Hollins College ($18,825 vs. $22,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 28.4% lower than at Hollins University ($11,310 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 107% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $22,514 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at VMI than at Hollins University (about $9,078 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $43,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hollins University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 51.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($36,154 vs. $23,821).

Hollins College vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hollins College 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 Hollins College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 90 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hollins University 1150/1340; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hollins College - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hollins College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Hollins College vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Hollins College vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hollins College 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 Hollins University's (63%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $26,500 more per year than Hollins College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Hollins College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hollins College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hollins College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 57%)

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.