Mary Washington College vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mary Washington is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Mary Washington College vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College ($18,825 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 20.6% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($11,310 vs. $14,250).
• Virginia Military Institute is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $6,406 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91% higher at VMI than at University of Mary Washington (about $25,078 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 127.1% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($23,821 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 110 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Mary Washington College vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

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.