Winthrop University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Winthrop University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (4,894 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winthrop University is located in Rock Hill, SC (Small City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Winthrop University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winthrop University 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Winthrop University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Winthrop University 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 Winthrop University than VMI ($16,108 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winthrop University are 2.1% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($11,072 vs. $11,310).
• Virginia Military Institute is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Winthrop University (about $6,368 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $14,678.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.6% higher at VMI than at Winthrop University (about $23,962 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $28,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winthrop University than at Virginia Military Institute (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Winthrop University students ($23,821 vs. $15,686).

Winthrop University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Winthrop University 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 Winthrop University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 40 points higher than at Winthrop University (1120).
• Incoming VMI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Winthrop University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winthrop University 1010/1220; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winthrop University 20/27; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Winthrop University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Winthrop University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Winthrop University has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Winthrop University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Winthrop University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Winthrop University 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 Winthrop University's (58%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Winthrop University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Winthrop University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Winthrop University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winthrop University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 49%)

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.