Liberty University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Liberty University 18:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Liberty University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Liberty 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 Liberty University ($18,825 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 18.3% lower than at Liberty University ($11,310 vs. $13,835).
• Liberty University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $1,419 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.3% higher at VMI than at Liberty University (about $30,173 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Virginia Military Institute (97% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 90.7% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($23,821 vs. $12,489).

Liberty University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 10 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Liberty University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 1040/1250; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 21/29; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Liberty University - Open admission; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.4% at Liberty University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Liberty University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Liberty 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 Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $834 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($24,166 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 36%)

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.