Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
Virginia Military Institute (VMI), located in the Shenandoah Valley town of Lexington, Virginia, is a public senior military college established in 1839. The historic campus, featuring Gothic Revival architecture and designated as a National Historic Landmark, maintains a traditional military structure where all students serve in the Corps of Cadets and live in barracks throughout their four years. As one of the six senior military colleges in the United States, VMI combines rigorous academic programs with military training, requiring all students to participate in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) while pursuing bachelor's degrees in engineering, sciences, or liberal arts. The institute is particularly known for its civil engineering program, leadership development, and physical education requirements, though graduates are not required to serve in the military upon completion. VMI competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Keydets, primarily through the Southern Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
VMI is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia Military Institute within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#150 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#32 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#4 in Best Public Colleges in Virginia
#73 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1105/1300 |
| ACT | 22/29 |
| GPA | 3.65 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $10,132 |
| Room and Board | $10,674 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,150 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,738 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $10,132 |
| Room and Board | $10,674 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,150 |
| Total One Year Cost | $63,546 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 30% |
| Engineering | 23% |
| History | 14% |
| Psychology | 12% |
| Foreign Languages | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Virginia Military Institute.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234085 IPEDS survey data for Virginia Military Institute.
Current students may use the Virginia Military Institute GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024