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Lexington, VA · Public · 1,527 undergraduates · town

Virginia Military Institute

Less selective

A fully immersive Corps of Cadets model at a public undergraduate college, not merely an ROTC option inside a civilian university.

Campus image / Publicly hosted campus image

Institutional profile

Well established Strong in career outcomes, and solid in student experience.
Academic Steady Affordability Solid Career Strong Mobility Steady Experience Solid
Academic standing Steady
Affordability Solid
Career outcomes Strong
Mobility Steady
Student experience Solid
Admission
81.7% admitted

1,171 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Resident and nonresident prices differ

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
76.8%

$77,369 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets Virginia Military Institute apart

Academic design

Cadets major in engineering, science, business, humanities, social sciences, and related fields while completing ROTC participation and a structured leadership-development program.

Campus pattern

Students live in barracks, wear uniforms, follow formations and military routines, complete physical training, and progress through a class and regimental system that shapes nearly every part of daily life.

Defining feature

A fully immersive Corps of Cadets model at a public undergraduate college, not merely an ROTC option inside a civilian university.

Can I get in?

81.7% admitted

Applicants should expect Corps-specific physical, medical, conduct, and lifestyle requirements; all cadets participate in ROTC, although not all graduates are required to commission.

Recent applicant pool

1,171

About 82 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 81.7%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1040–1260
9001400
ACT middle 50%22–28
1832
Academic benchmarkLess selective

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for Virginia Military Institute, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What Virginia Military Institute weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

Cadets major in engineering, science, business, humanities, social sciences, and related fields while completing ROTC participation and a structured leadership-development program.

02

Make the fit specific

A fully immersive Corps of Cadets model at a public undergraduate college, not merely an ROTC option inside a civilian university.

03

Account for the tradeoff

Applicants should expect Corps-specific physical, medical, conduct, and lifestyle requirements; all cadets participate in ROTC, although not all graduates are required to commission.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

Applicants should expect Corps-specific physical, medical, conduct, and lifestyle requirements; all cadets participate in ROTC, although not all graduates are required to commission.

Application routeInstitution application

No application fee recorded

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$34,824
Average annual cost after aid, in-state$17,000
Affordability profileSolid

College funding

Scholarships and financial aid

Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.

Open financial aid plan

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at Virginia Military Institute

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

A fully immersive Corps of Cadets model at a public undergraduate college, not merely an ROTC option inside a civilian university.

Complete within 8 years76.8%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one82.5%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$77,369

Reported 10 years after enrollment

What is campus life like?

Virginia Military Institute beyond the classroom

Students live in barracks, wear uniforms, follow formations and military routines, complete physical training, and progress through a class and regimental system that shapes nearly every part of daily life.

Academics

A defining academic feature

Cadets major in engineering, science, business, humanities, social sciences, and related fields while completing ROTC participation and a structured leadership-development program.

Campus setting

What shapes an ordinary week

Students live in barracks, wear uniforms, follow formations and military routines, complete physical training, and progress through a class and regimental system that shapes nearly every part of daily life.

Distinctive edge

What changes the experience

A fully immersive Corps of Cadets model at a public undergraduate college, not merely an ROTC option inside a civilian university.

1,527 undergraduatesSoutheasttown settingPrimarily off-campus housing