Rider University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Rider University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Rider University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider 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 Rider University ($18,825 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 34.4% lower than at Rider University ($11,310 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 95.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $20,074 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at VMI than at Rider University (about $11,518 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $41,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 23% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($29,294 vs. $23,821).

Rider University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rider University (1210) is 50 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Rider University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider 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 Rider University's (63%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Rider University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rider University graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.