Rutgers University-Newark vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than VMI ($18,276 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 29.6% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($11,310 vs. $16,074).
• Virginia Military Institute is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers University-Newark (about $3,796 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $17,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at VMI than at Rutgers University Newark (about $15,876 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $36,762.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at Rutgers University Newark (81% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Rutgers University Newark students ($23,821 vs. $17,405).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 10 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming VMI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Rutgers University-Newark has a higher acceptance rate (71.4%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark's (68%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than VMI graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($22,215 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($229 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 68%)

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.