NC State vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

NC State vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than VMI ($15,522 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 21.1% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($11,310 vs. $14,332).
• Virginia Military Institute is 139.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $12,247 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.3% higher at VMI than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $19,791 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (81% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 104% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($23,821 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 230 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming NC State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 31.7% at VMI.

NC State vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $4,218 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($20,782 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($214 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 76%)

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.