Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institute in Blacksburg, VA, and Virginia Military Institute is a public institute in Lexington, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 55% of applicants against 71% at Virginia Military Institute. Virginia Military Institute is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,113 a year against $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. About 86% of students graduate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, compared with 79% at Virginia Military Institute. Ten years after enrolling, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University alumni earn a median of about $81,698, against $77,369 for Virginia Military Institute.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Blacksburg, VA
Lexington, VA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
30,923
1,527
Acceptance rate
55%
71%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.42–3.92
SAT (middle 50%)
1280–1450
1050–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
24–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,953
$17,113
Full cost / yr
$36,951
$34,824
In-state tuition
$15,948
$21,046
Out-of-state tuition
$37,764
$52,638
Application fee
$60
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,689
$12,697
$30k - $48k
$11,670
$9,246
$48k - $75k
$17,894
$12,162
$75k - $110k
$25,835
$13,385
Over $110k
$34,201
$23,434
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
79%
Freshman retention
93%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$67,377
$63,545
Median earnings (10 yr)
$81,698
$77,369
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$22,996
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
16%
First-generation students
18%
15%
International students
5%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Feb 1
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute harder to get into?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is harder to get into. It admits about 55% of applicants, compared with 71% at Virginia Military Institute. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia Military Institute?
- Before aid, Virginia Military Institute costs about $34,824 a year and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University about $36,951. 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, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,689 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, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the larger of the two, with about 30,923 undergraduates against 1,527 at Virginia Military Institute.
- Does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute have a better graduation rate?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 79% at Virginia Military Institute.
- Do graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute earn more?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $81,698 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,369 for Virginia Military Institute. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia Military Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia Military Institute look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1280–1450 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and 1050–1270 at Virginia Military Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs University of Virginia-Main CampusVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs James Madison UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs George Mason UniversityVirginia Military Institute vs Washington and Lee UniversityVirginia Military Institute vs University of RichmondVirginia Military Institute vs University of Virginia's College at Wise
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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