WCU vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

WCU vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU 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 Virginia Military Institute than WCU ($18,825 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 23.7% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,310 vs. $14,828).
• Virginia Military Institute is 95.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $10,271 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.9% higher at VMI than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $30,039 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (81% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 317.3% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($23,821 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU 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 WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 31.7% at VMI.

WCU vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.