Virginia Military Institute
#2 Best Engineering Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 79% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $77,369 A
- Top 5% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $17,113 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 28.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Engineering Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,910,505.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 90% more than the national college median.
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A 79% graduation rate — 38% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.7%
- Top 32%
- Patents
- 16
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 15
- Downstream influence
Why Virginia Military Institute Matters
Virginia Military Institute is a public liberal arts college in Lexington, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 5% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,527
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Engineering, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Virginia Military Institute
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1050–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,113 a year after grants and scholarships — 0% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $77,369 ten years after enrolling — 90% above the typical college, against $22,996 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 28% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,527 students and a 71% acceptance rate, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) attracts individuals who are disciplined and ready for a structured environment. This school is particularly well-suited for students interested in social sciences, engineering, psychology, biology, and computer science. Students here often appreciate the blend of academic rigor and military training, which helps shape leadership skills and a strong sense of responsibility.
Looking at life after graduation, VMI graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $77,369 ten years after completing their degree. This figure highlights the financial potential available to graduates, especially given that the net price for attending VMI is $17,113 after aid. The relatively affordable education, combined with solid earning potential, makes VMI a compelling choice for those looking to advance their careers.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt for VMI graduates stands at $22,996, which is manageable in relation to their earnings. This means that graduates can typically pay off their loans without being overly burdened. Students who thrive here often share a commitment to service, leadership, and personal growth, making them well-prepared for both military and civilian careers.
Rankings
- #2 Best Engineering Colleges in Virginia
- #5 Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- #6 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #8 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Virginia Military Institute is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Military Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Lexington, Virginia, Virginia Military Institute admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,244. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1244
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1050–1270
- ACT Range
- 24–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,070
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 15%
- Applicants
- 1,192
- Admitted
- 847
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Military Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Military Institute is $52,638, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,113. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,697 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,996 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,046
- Out-of-State
- $52,638
- Avg Net Price
- $17,113
- Median Debt
- $22,996
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 59%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,697
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,246
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,162
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,434
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Virginia Military Institute Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $77,369, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $63,545
- 8 Years
- $78,129
- 10 Years
- $77,369
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.3x
- Earning > $25K
- 78%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (343)
- 76%
- 100% (343)
- 76%
- 100% (343)
- 76%
- 100% (343)
- 76%
How Virginia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Virginia Military Institute Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Virginia Military Institute delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,113/year ($68,452 total). Graduates earn $77,369 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,978,957 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,910,505 (28.9× your investment). The median debt is $22,996, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 79% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $68,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,978,957
- Net Return
- $1,910,505
- ROI Multiple
- 28.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,113
- Median Debt
- $22,996
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Virginia Military Institute Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Virginia Military Institute is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.99%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 43.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $116,700
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Virginia Military Institute produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 16 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.72%
- Top 32% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 16
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 15
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 1.23%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $723,927
Top Programs
The fields Virginia Military Institute awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Social Sciences 26%
- Engineering 22%
- Psychology 11%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- English & Literature 6%
- Mathematics & Statistics 5%
- Physical Sciences 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Virginia Military Institute's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Military Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Lexington, Virginia, Virginia Military Institute admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,244. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Military Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Military Institute is $52,638, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,113. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,697 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,996 in federal student loans.
Is Virginia Military Institute Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $77,369, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Virginia Military Institute Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Virginia Military Institute is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.99%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Virginia Military Institute? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Military Institute. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Virginia Military Institute.
- University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusHartford, CT · Close peer65% grad $73,997 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City, MD · Close peer69% grad $60,110 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards Bay, MA · Close peer77% grad $82,392 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rockhurst UniversityKansas City, MO · Close peer75% grad $67,102 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Saint Johns UniversityCollegeville, MN · Close peer76% grad $76,786 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Close peer83% grad $66,240 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Virginia Military Institute? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Military Institute. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note