Louisville vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Louisville vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($18,825 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 10.1% lower than at University of Louisville ($11,310 vs. $12,576).
• Virginia Military Institute is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $7,910 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.5% higher at VMI than at University of Louisville (about $23,156 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Virginia Military Institute (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 62.3% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($23,821 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is the same as at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Louisville vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $5,344 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($19,656 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($203 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 58%)

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.