Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia · Public · 71.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 88/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Virginia Military Institute is a public senior military college in Lexington, VA, with 1,527 cadets. The ROI score of 88 (Strong Value) reflects strong earnings relative to cost - in-state tuition of $21,046 and a $17,113 net price. Civil Engineering (42 graduates) is the largest engineering program; International Relations and National Security Studies (56 graduates) is the top policy major. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.519 and 76.2% completion rate are the two headwinds in the data. The debt load is high relative to first-year earnings for non-engineering graduates.
Virginia Military Institute scores in the top 7% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Virginia Military Institute
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $21,046/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $52,638/yr |
| Average net price | $17,113/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $68,452 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $77,369 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,996 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $244 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 76.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,527 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $21,046/year ($52,638/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $17,113/year, or roughly $68,452 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $12,697/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,434/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $22,996, which works out to about $244 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($44,300) and comes to 0.52, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,697 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,246 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,162 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,385 |
| $110,001+ | $23,434 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $12,697 per year. At roughly $50,000 over four years, VMI is affordable for low-income Virginia residents relative to outcomes. The 4.9-year payback period means the investment recovers relatively quickly against median earnings.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket actually sees lower cost ($9,246) than the lowest bracket - reflecting maximum institutional aid deployment for this range. The 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $12,162, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket reaches $13,385. Cost is remarkably flat across middle income, and all brackets pay well below $15,000 per year. This pricing makes VMI accessible to virtually any middle-income Virginia family willing to commit to the cadet system.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $23,434 per year - the out-of-state rate begins to apply more heavily in this bracket for non-Virginia residents. Against $44,300 average 6-year earnings, the payback is 4.9 years. High-income families whose students want a military structure are getting significant financial efficiency relative to private military-style programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Virginia Military Institute with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $72,700 | C+ |
| Economics | $76,296 | C+ |
| History | $72,630 | C+ |
| Civil Engineering | $76,991 | B |
| Psychology | $75,059 | B |
| Biology | $71,547 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,909 | B |
| Computer Science | $94,397 | B |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $73,971 | - |
| Physics | $46,641 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering (42 graduates) is VMI's largest engineering program and delivers $61,547 at year one and $76,991 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.422 (ROI grade B) and $26,000 median debt reflect the public school debt level even at in-state tuition - cadets often take loans to cover room, board, and fees. Civil engineers from VMI enter military engineering, defense contracting, state and federal infrastructure roles, and private construction management. The 4-year earnings ($76,991) reflect the combination of professional advancement and, for ROTC-commission officers, transition into civilian roles with military pay supplements.
International Relations and National Security Studies
The largest program at VMI by non-engineering graduates: 56 students earn $44,429 at year one and $72,700 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.484 (ROI grade C+) and $21,500 median debt are workable but show that year-one earnings for national security graduates are constrained - most enter military officer tracks or federal civilian roles with defined pay scales. The 4-year figure ($72,700) reflects advancement in those careers. VMI's national security program benefits from the school's military culture and alumni network in defense and intelligence sectors.
Economics
Economics (50 graduates) earns $46,046 at year one and $76,296 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.505 (ROI grade C+) is elevated. VMI economics graduates enter business, finance, and policy roles through the school's alumni network. The four-year figure ($76,296) shows meaningful advancement once cadets transition into civilian careers or military officer pay grades.
Computer Science
VMI's Computer Science program (18 graduates, a small cohort) earns $58,225 at year one and $94,397 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.447 (ROI grade B) is acceptable. The four-year figure ($94,397) reflects that VMI CS graduates who enter the private sector or defense technology careers advance quickly - the combination of technical skills and military discipline is valued by defense contractors and government agencies. The small cohort means individual variation is high.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 86.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 89.1% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 87.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Virginia Military Institute’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 71.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 550-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-31 |
| Enrollment | 1,527 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 16.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,070 |
VMI admits 71.3% of applicants - selectivity is not the primary constraint here. SAT Math 500-640, Reading 550-630; ACT 24-31. Admission requires commitment to the cadet system, which the school assesses through the application and visit process. Students must be physically fit and prepared for a regimented, structured four years. The military lifestyle commitment is the real filter, not the academic threshold.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
VMI's strong suit is payback period (4.9 yr) and cost structure.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Military Institute (this school) | 88 | $17,113 | $77,369 |
| SUNY Maritime College | 91 | $22,367 | $95,951 |
| William & Mary | 91 | $19,096 | $73,490 |
| University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | 87 | $16,403 | $73,997 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| Christopher Newport University | 64 | $23,015 | $60,509 |
Who Thrives Here
VMI admits 71% of applicants. SAT Math 500-640, Reading 550-630; ACT 24-31. The Pell rate of 16.5% is moderate. Students who thrive are specifically motivated by the VMI cadet system: four years of military structure, physical training, honor code culture, and a regimented academic environment. Engineering and policy/security majors have the strongest earnings trajectories. Students who want a traditional college experience or need flexibility in their academic path should look elsewhere - VMI's format is non-negotiable.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, Virginia Military Institute pays off. You'd pay about $17,113 a year after aid ($68,452 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $77,369 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 4.9 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 76.2% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $22,996 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $44,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Virginia Military Institute: Common Questions
Is Virginia Military Institute worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Virginia Military Institute pays off. It scores 88/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $17,113 a year after aid ($68,452 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $77,369 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 4.9 years to earn back.
How much does Virginia Military Institute cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $17,113 a year, or roughly $68,452 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Virginia Military Institute graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $77,369 ten years after enrolling, roughly $35,569 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Virginia Military Institute?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 4.9 years for Virginia Military Institute. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Virginia Military Institute graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $22,996, against average earnings of $44,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Military Institute?
The six-year graduation rate is 76.2%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.