VMI vs. UNG

Comparable Facts

Compare Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA with University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Georgia is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (19,291 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting); University of North Georgia is in Dahlonega, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Virginia Military Institute 9:1; University of North Georgia 19:1.

VMI vs. UNG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VMI or UNG? 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 Georgia than VMI ($11,157 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 11.4% lower than at University of North Georgia ($11,310 vs. $12,770).
• Virginia Military Institute is 298.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNG (about $15,761 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $5,285.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 219% higher at VMI than at University of North Georgia (about $36,135 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $16,503.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Georgia than at Virginia Military Institute (87% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 229.7% larger than aid received by University of North Georgia students ($23,821 vs. $7,226).

VMI vs. UNG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 60 points higher than at UNG (1100).
• Incoming VMI students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at UNG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270; University of North Georgia 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Virginia Military Institute 24/31; University of North Georgia 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VMI - Test optional; UNG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027; UNG Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNG (3.5).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UNG (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at VMI vs. 47.9% at UNG.

VMI vs. UNG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VMI and UNG? 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).

• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than UNG graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Georgia graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($16,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNG graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNG students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 68%)

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.