UVa-Wise vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,167 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Virginia's College at Wise is located in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

UVa-Wise vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVa-Wise 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than VMI ($14,378 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 11.8% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($11,310 vs. $12,816).
• Virginia Military Institute is 78.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $9,266 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.9% higher at VMI than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $24,628 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 94.3% larger than aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students ($23,821 vs. $12,262).

UVa-Wise vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVa-Wise 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 UVa-Wise.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 130 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming VMI students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVa-Wise - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UVa-Wise (3.57).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UVa-Wise vs. 31.7% at VMI.

UVa-Wise vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVa-Wise 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $4,173 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($20,827 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($215 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 57%)

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.