Howard vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Howard vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($18,825 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 34.7% lower than at Howard University ($11,310 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 70.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $14,764 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at VMI than at Howard University (about $16,828 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 12% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($23,821 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard 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 Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Howard vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 33%)

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.