Virginia Military Institute
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $65,200 within 10 years; strong 82% graduation rate.
About This School
Virginia Military Institute is a public institution located in Lexington, Virginia with approximately 1,560 undergraduate students enrolled. Virginia Military Institute has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,849 per year. The graduation rate is 82%, and the typical graduate earns $65,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
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 -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.
Worth considering if you're drawn to military structure and discipline — as America's oldest public military college, VMI offers a genuinely unique all-cadet environment that builds the kind of focus and leadership some students thrive under. The value proposition is solid: median debt of just $19,000 against earnings of $65,200 a decade out is a favorable return, especially at an average net price under $19K/year. That said, the all-military lifestyle isn't for everyone, and an 84% freshman retention rate suggests a meaningful share of students discover that mismatch after arriving.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,560 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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