UNC Charlotte vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than VMI ($15,045 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 21.8% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($11,310 vs. $14,458).
• Virginia Military Institute is 190.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $13,807 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134% higher at VMI than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $30,146 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (81% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 199% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($23,821 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 80 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 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 UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 31.7% at VMI.

UNC Charlotte vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 61%)

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.