College Search
Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Town · 1,527 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,113
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
79%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$77,369
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
71%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

As the nation's oldest state-supported military college, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is renowned for combining a rigorous undergraduate education with an uncompromising military framework and honor system. Academically, the institute is celebrated for its highly ranked programs in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as international studies and history. Campus life revolves entirely around the Corps of Cadets, where all students wear uniforms, participate in ROTC, live in historic barracks, and bond through shared trials like the demanding freshman "Rat Line" initiation. While commissioning into the armed forces upon graduation is optional, this distinctive, immersive environment instills exceptional discipline and leadership skills that prepare graduates for top-tier civilian and military careers alike.

Wikipedia:The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is a public senior military college in Lexington, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 as America's first state-sponsored and state-supported military college and is the oldest public senior military college in the United States. In keeping with its founding principles and unlike any other senior military college in the United States, VMI enrolls cadets only and awards bachelor's degrees exclusively. The institute grants degrees in 14 disciplines in engineering, science, and the liberal arts.

Location
Lexington, VA, 24450-0304 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RIC · Richmond
117 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$21,046$52,638
Housing & food (on campus)$11,310$11,310
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$33,974$66,514
Average net price$17,113Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$52,638
In-state: $21,046
Housing & food (on campus)$11,310
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$66,514
In-state: $33,974
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $17,113
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.vmi.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Virginia Military Institute’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$43,220
Housing$3,592
Food$8,406
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,700
Transportation$1,400
Total published by the school$66,514
See how the in-state total ($33,974) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
Virginia Military Institute’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$10,680
Housing$3,592
Food$8,406
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,700
Transportation$450
Total published by the school$33,974
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,697
$30–48k
$9,246
$48–75k
$12,162
$75–110k
$13,385
$110k+
$23,434
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
79%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
68%
Back for yr 2
81%
Transferred
17%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
76% graduated · 21% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$63,545
10 yrs after entry$77,369
Debt
Median at graduation$22,996
Monthly payment$244
Middle 50% owe$8k–$27k
90th percentile$30,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
71%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1244
R 550–630 · M 500–640
ACT midpoint
25
Comp 24–31 · E 22–27 · M 23–29
SAT middle 50%: 1050–1270
40080012001600

Wondering if Virginia Military Institute is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Virginia Military Institute asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 86%Women 14%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
15%
Family income
$99,470
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
69%
Hispanic
11%
Black
8%
Asian
5%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
2%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's
  • Rifle
    Women's · Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$63,545
After 10 yrs
$77,369
International Relations and National Security Studies56
Economics50
History44
Civil Engineering42
Psychology, General34
Biology, General27
Mechanical Engineering19
Computer Science18
English Language and Literature, General18
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services16
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering11
Physics11
Chemistry7
Applied Mathematics6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$788M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$9,070/mo
Teaching spend
$21,289
per student
Federal loans
59%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Virginia Military Institute is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search