VMI vs. Milligan

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Military Institute is larger than Milligan based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 1,240 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting); Milligan University is in Milligan, TN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milligan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia Military Institute 9:1; Milligan University 10:1.

VMI vs. Milligan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VMI or Milligan? 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 Milligan ($18,825 vs. $21,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milligan University are 21.3% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($8,900 vs. $11,310).
• Milligan University is 92.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $19,404 more per year; $40,450.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at VMI than at Milligan University (about $12,188 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $40,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milligan University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milligan University students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($31,220 vs. $23,821).

VMI vs. Milligan Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VMI or Milligan? 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 Milligan and VMI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milligan University (1200) is 40 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Milligan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270; Milligan University 1133/1268.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 24/31; Milligan University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VMI - Test optional; Milligan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027; Milligan Aug 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Milligan students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Milligan has a higher acceptance rate (72.3%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at VMI vs. 27.6% at Milligan.

VMI vs. Milligan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VMI and Milligan? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Milligan graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milligan graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Milligan students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 66%)

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.