Roanoke College vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Roanoke College in Salem, VA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Roanoke College is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Roanoke College is located in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Roanoke College 11:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Roanoke College vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College 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 Roanoke College ($18,825 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 26.4% lower than at Roanoke College ($11,310 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 80.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $17,022 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at VMI than at Roanoke College (about $14,570 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($28,188 vs. $23,821).

Roanoke College vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Roanoke College 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 Roanoke College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 40 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at VMI (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Roanoke College vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke College 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).

• The graduation rate at Roanoke College is the same as at Virginia Military Institute (69% vs. 69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.