James Madison University vs Virginia Military Institute
What would these two cost your family?
Your family’s income
Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.
James Madison University is a public university in Harrisonburg, VA, and Virginia Military Institute is a public institute in Lexington, VA. Virginia Military Institute is the more selective of the two, admitting about 71% of applicants against 72% at James Madison University. Virginia Military Institute is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,113 a year against $23,322 at James Madison University. About 80% of students graduate at James Madison University, compared with 79% at Virginia Military Institute. Ten years after enrolling, Virginia Military Institute alumni earn a median of about $77,369, against $69,954 for James Madison University.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute harder to get into?
- Virginia Military Institute is harder to get into. It admits about 71% of applicants, compared with 72% at James Madison University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute?
- Virginia Military Institute is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,113 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,322 at James Madison University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at James Madison University and Virginia Military Institute?
- Before aid, James Madison University costs about $31,735 a year and Virginia Military Institute about $34,824. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute?
- James Madison University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,444 there, against about $12,697 at Virginia Military Institute. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute?
- James Madison University is the larger of the two, with about 20,888 undergraduates against 1,527 at Virginia Military Institute.
- Does James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute have a better graduation rate?
- James Madison University has the higher graduation rate, at about 80% against 79% at Virginia Military Institute.
- Do graduates of James Madison University or Virginia Military Institute earn more?
- Virginia Military Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,369 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,954 for James Madison University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do James Madison University and Virginia Military Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
- James Madison University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Virginia Military Institute is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do James Madison University and Virginia Military Institute look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1170–1340 at James Madison University and 1050–1270 at Virginia Military Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.