MBC vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Mary Baldwin University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mary Baldwin University is located in Staunton, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Mary Baldwin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mary Baldwin University 15:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

MBC vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MBC 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 Mary Baldwin University than VMI ($17,810 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 0.9% lower than at Mary Baldwin University ($11,310 vs. $11,411).
• Mary Baldwin University is 62.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $13,106 more per year; $34,152.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at VMI than at Mary Baldwin University (about $18,486 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $34,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mary Baldwin University than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mary Baldwin University students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($28,135 vs. $23,821).

MBC vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MBC 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 MBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 130 points higher than at MBC (1030).
• Incoming VMI students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at MBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mary Baldwin University 940/1120; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mary Baldwin University 18/24; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MBC - Not reported; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at MBC (3.57).

MBC vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MBC 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 Mary Baldwin University's (49%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than MBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than MBC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MBC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MBC students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 53%)

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.