UVA vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Virginia Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Virginia Main Campus 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 Virginia Main Campus 15:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

UVA vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVA 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 Virginia Main Campus than VMI ($18,427 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 23.6% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($11,310 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $757 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at UVA than at Virginia Military Institute (about $6,874 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $52,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at University of Virginia Main Campus (81% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($28,715 vs. $23,821).

UVA vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVA 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 UVA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 320 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming UVA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVA - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40% at UVA vs. 31.7% at VMI.

UVA vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVA 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than VMI graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More UVA 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.