Virginia Tech vs Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) are two distinct institutions of higher learning in Virginia, each offering unique educational experiences. Virginia Tech, a public land-grant research university, boasts a significantly larger student body and a wider range of academic programs compared to VMI, a private military college. With acceptance rates of 69% and 48%, respectively, Virginia Tech is generally more accessible to prospective students. While both institutions offer strong engineering programs, Virginia Tech excels in fields like computer science and biomedical engineering, while VMI emphasizes leadership and military science. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Virginia Military Institute	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Lexington, Virginia	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.9%	56.5%
Application fees	$40	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1080 - 1300	1210 - 1410
ACT range	22 - 27	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	12.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	1,549	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	990	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	461	6,758
Yield rate	46.6%	28.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $33,182 Out of state: $61,836	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$18,100	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $9,782 Out of state: $38,436	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $3,102 Meal plan: $7,260	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $10,832	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $3,385	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $22,604	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,652 Men 86.2% Women 13.8%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	N/A	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	38.2%	39.5%
International students	1.7%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,751	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Virginia Pennsylvania Maryland North Carolina New Jersey	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Social Sciences Psychology Biological and Biomedical Sciences History	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.7%	86.6%
Dropout rate	4.4%	12.3%
Transferred out	21.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,118 Year 2: $41,937 Year 3: $60,559 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,215 Year 2: $44,942 Year 3: $59,186 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,030 Year 2: $49,270 Year 3: $57,955 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,302 Year 2: $39,305 Year 3: $55,311 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,325 Year 2: $45,094 Year 3: $55,205 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,487 Year 2: $38,649 Year 3: $52,930 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,025 Year 2: $39,909 Year 3: $52,845 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,712 Year 2: $41,007 Year 3: $43,814 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,367 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,671 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,287 Year 2: $113,246 Year 3: $125,427 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,383 Year 2: $96,691 Year 3: $106,931 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,448 Year 2: $88,678 Year 3: $96,747 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $76,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,580 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,104 Year 2: $78,488 Year 3: $90,164 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,370 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $87,658 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $81,573 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $84,990 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,460 Year 2: $73,635 Year 3: $83,712 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,805 Year 2: $73,272 Year 3: $82,738 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,610 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $81,822

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference in the academic environment between Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech offers a traditional university environment with a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities. VMI, on the other hand, emphasizes a military-style, regimented academic environment. VMI's curriculum is structured, and all cadets follow a common core curriculum, while Virginia Tech students have more flexibility in course selection and program focus.
How does the campus culture differ between Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech has a large, diverse campus with a strong emphasis on student life, including a wide array of clubs, organizations, and social events. VMI's culture is centered around its military structure, emphasizing honor, discipline, and leadership. Cadets live in barracks, follow a strict daily schedule, and participate in military training.
What are the key differences in the admissions process for Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech's admissions process is similar to other large public universities, considering factors like GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), extracurricular activities, and essays. VMI's admissions process includes a physical fitness assessment, a medical examination, and a more in-depth review of leadership potential and character, reflecting its military focus.
What is the cost of attendance like at Virginia Tech versus VMI?

The cost of attendance at both institutions is competitive for in-state students. However, VMI often has lower tuition costs due to state funding and the nature of its cadet system. Out-of-state tuition at Virginia Tech is generally higher. Both schools offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset costs.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare at Virginia Tech and VMI?

Both Virginia Tech and VMI have strong career services departments. Virginia Tech, with its broader range of programs, often has a wider network of industry connections. VMI's graduates, particularly those who have completed their military service obligation, are highly sought after for their leadership skills and discipline, leading to excellent job placement rates in various fields, including government, engineering, and business.
What are the housing options like at Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech offers a variety of housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments, catering to different preferences. VMI requires all cadets to live in barracks, fostering a strong sense of community and discipline. The barracks environment is a core part of the VMI experience.
How does the student body composition differ between Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech has a large and diverse student body, representing a wide range of backgrounds and interests. VMI's student body is smaller and more homogenous, with a strong emphasis on leadership and military service. The cadet corps is primarily male, although VMI has been co-educational since 1997.
What are the athletic programs like at Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech is a Division I school with a prominent athletic program, particularly in football and basketball, attracting large crowds and generating significant school spirit. VMI is also a Division I school, but its athletic programs are smaller and less prominent, though they still foster a strong sense of camaraderie and competition among cadets.
What is the typical daily schedule like for students at Virginia Tech and VMI?

Virginia Tech students have a more flexible daily schedule, with classes, study time, and extracurricular activities. VMI cadets follow a highly structured daily schedule, including mandatory formations, classes, meals, and military training. The regimented schedule is a defining characteristic of the VMI experience.
Which school is better for someone interested in a traditional college experience?

Virginia Tech is the better choice for someone seeking a traditional college experience. It offers a wide range of academic programs, a vibrant campus life, and a more flexible academic and social environment. VMI is better suited for those seeking a highly structured, military-focused education and a strong emphasis on leadership development.

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