VMI vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Military Institute is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia Military Institute 9:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

VMI vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VMI or PHC? 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 PHC ($18,825 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 2.6% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($11,020 vs. $11,310).
• Patrick Henry College is 35.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $7,379 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.2% higher at VMI than at Patrick Henry College (about $24,213 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 78.5% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($23,821 vs. $13,345).

VMI vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Patrick Henry College (1330) is 170 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming PHC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 24/31; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VMI - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PHC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at VMI (3.65).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at VMI vs. 47.6% at PHC.

VMI vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VMI and PHC? 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).

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.