Ohio University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, OH with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio University Main Campus is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (26,323 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Ohio University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio University ($18,825 vs. $21,907).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 20.1% lower than at Ohio University Main Campus ($11,310 vs. $14,162).
• Virginia Military Institute is 48.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $6,888 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.9% higher at VMI than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $27,800 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than at Virginia Military Institute (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 152.8% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($23,821 vs. $9,422).

Ohio University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Ohio University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Ohio University (3.59).
• Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (85%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Ohio University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio 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 Ohio University Main Campus's (65%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 51%)

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.