Jefferson vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Jefferson University 12:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Jefferson vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson 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 Jefferson ($18,825 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 28.6% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($11,310 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 125.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $26,459 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at VMI than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $5,133 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 47% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($35,007 vs. $23,821).

Jefferson vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jefferson 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 Jefferson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 90 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Jefferson 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: Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Jefferson University 25/30; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jefferson - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Jefferson vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Jefferson vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jefferson 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $60,800 more per year than VMI graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($12,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($129 vs. $258).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VMI students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.