Piedmont University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Piedmont University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (1,857 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Piedmont University is located in Demorest, GA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Piedmont University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Piedmont University 12:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Piedmont University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Piedmont 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 Piedmont University ($18,825 vs. $22,252).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 13.7% lower than at Piedmont University ($11,310 vs. $13,100).
• Piedmont University is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $10,654 more per year; $31,700.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at VMI than at Piedmont University (about $20,938 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $31,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Piedmont University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Piedmont University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($24,618 vs. $23,821).

Piedmont University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 20 points higher than at Piedmont University (1140).
• Incoming VMI students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Piedmont University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Piedmont University 1038/1245; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Piedmont University 18/25; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Piedmont University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Piedmont University Jul 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Piedmont University (3.54).
• Piedmont University has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Piedmont University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Piedmont University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Piedmont 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 Piedmont University's (46%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Piedmont University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have a $1,264 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,736 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Piedmont University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 44%)

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.