VMI Admission Requirements

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Lexington, VA
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VMI Admission Overview

VMI admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year VMI admitted 71.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (A-) and SAT 1050-1270 / ACT 24-31. VMI is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VMI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VMI Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

71.2%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The VMI acceptance rate is 71.2%. Last year, 1,472 of 2,066 applicants were admitted. That is the 15th lowest acceptance rate in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into VMI and can you get accepted?

VMI is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Virginia Military Institute typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VMI GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.65

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.65

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at VMI typically have around a 3.65 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. VMI is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

26% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #15 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Virginia Military Institute freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	25.5%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	17.6%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	19.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	17.6%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	10.7%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	8.3%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.3%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

VMI SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1050-1270

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 550
Math 500
Composite 1050

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 630
Math 640
Composite 1270

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at VMI typically score around a 1160 SAT (middle 50% 1050–1270) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 69th percentile nationally. VMI ranks #18 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1050 to 1270

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

VMI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Virginia Military Institute
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1270+	Above 75th	>82%
1160 to 1270	Avg +	71%-82%
1050 to 1160	Avg -	56%-71%
Below 1050	Below mid-50	<56%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

VMI ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 22
Math 23
Composite 24

75th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 29
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at VMI typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 24–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. VMI places #13 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to VMI without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Virginia Military Institute
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31+	Above 75th	>84%
27 to 31	Avg +	71%-84%
24 to 27	Avg -	59%-71%
Below 24	Below mid-50	<59%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

76% of Virginia Military Institute freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Virginia Military Institute students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	11%
Top 25% of class	24.7%
Top 50% of class	76%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the VMI chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Virginia Military Institute admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	476	1,590	2,066
Accepted	319	1,153	1,472
Acceptance Rate	67%	73%	71%
Enrolled	82	385	467
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	33%	32%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Virginia Military Institute and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Virginia Military Institute application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Virginia Military Institute is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Virginia Military Institute
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

VMI is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 71.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1050-1270); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025