USC Aiken vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken 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 South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

USC Aiken vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken 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 South Carolina Aiken than VMI ($12,236 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 18.8% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($9,182 vs. $11,310).
• Virginia Military Institute is 95.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $10,286 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.1% higher at VMI than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $31,420 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Virginia Military Institute (93% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 167.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($23,821 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken 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 USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 60 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming VMI students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 31.7% at VMI.

USC Aiken vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken 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 South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 54%)

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.