About Virginia Military Institute

Founded in 1839, Virginia Military Institute. is a Public college. Located in Virginia, which is a city setting in Virginia, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 1,713 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Virginia Military Institute Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 134 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Virginia Military Institute include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate50%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee40
SAT Range1060-1240
ACT Range23-28

Admissions at VMI are considered Selective, with ,20% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

86% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 47% were in the top quarter, and 15% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Virginia Military Institute.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
60%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
40%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
60%
“We bought the gear”
20%
“We live for the big game”
40%
“It”s not really our thing”
40%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
20%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
40%
“They keep regular office hours”
60%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
20%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
60%
“We only party on weekends”
20%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
100%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
0%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
60%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
40%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
60%
“We bought the gear”
20%
“We live for the big game”
40%
“It”s not really our thing”
40%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
20%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
40%
“They keep regular office hours”
60%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
20%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
60%
“We only party on weekends”
20%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
100%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
0%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    27 Students rated on-campus housing 3.3 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    14 Students rated off-campus housing 1.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    36 Students rated campus food 1.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    36 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    36 Students rated class size 4.9 stars. 81 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    36 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    36 Students rated local services 2.6 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    36 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 67 % gave the school a 5.0.

Virginia Military Institute REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Virginia Military Institute?

7 Students rated Virginia Military Institute

Hagen - 05/26/2021

VMI is an amazing place to go to college. I really enjoy the military lifestyle and also wanted to get a degree to become an officer in the military. VMI has many opportunities for cadets and new students to contract and apply for the military. However, if you don't want to be in the military, but you do want that lifestyle and help improve your skills in leadership and time management, VMI is the place for you. You will be able to meet many different people from many backgrounds, and have experiences that your friends and family will never get to experience. I highly recommend VMI to anyone.

Ted - 05/13/2020

This is not a normal college. There is no off campus housing. You live in a small town just off the interstate and you don't even get to enjoy it your first year. When you matriculate into VMI, you are a known as a Rat. The Ratline is the system all freshman have to go through and it's meant to physically, mentally , and emotionally exhaust you. You will be trained by cadre, which are students who best exemplify the VMI cadet. Everything at VMI is run by cadets who attend the school with the regimental system. It's by no means an easy place to be at as you are deprived of a lot of creature comforts and you must adhere to strict rules. However, if you are willing to go above and beyond your peers and build connections that will last a lifetime, this is the place to go. You will suffer a lot, but you will have other peers who will go through the same experience as you. Work hard, and you will be part of a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime by the time the Ratline ends and you breakout. Even after you breakout of the ratline, VMI is still notoriously difficult with all the academic and military duty on top of everything. As you go through the years at VMI, you will gain more responsibility and more freedom to go with it. This is not given. Everything is earned. If you want to become a tougher person mentally and physically, then this is the place for you. If you are at all interested in ROTC, VMI is the best place for any branch from Marines to Air Force. VMI is not for everyone, but the bottom line is if you work hard and put in the effort, you will be rewarded greatly.

Emily - 01/17/2020

Virginia Military Institute is a brotherhood. There are tough days and there are great days but no matter what you have someone else who has been in the exact situation as you. The classes are small and the teachers engage with everyone and make themselves very available for additional help. The school teaches you more than just academics but what it takes to be successful and how to admire/respect the little things in life. VMI may be small but it makes a huge impact on your life. You learn to become a leader and you don't have to commission into the military at graduation.

John - 01/03/2020

This is an institution for those who are adament about the value of character. There is no party life or drug/alcohol use associated with this institution. Students who place value on self-betterment, altruism, and brotherhood will find this place superior to any other college they may find. It is a true academic atmosphere where professors know each cadet on a personal level, and all support academic success beyond designated classroom instruction. Upon graduation, cadets have the option of commissioning into the armed forces or maintaining civilian status. Cadets are emboldened to stand up for a code of honor, and learn to carry that code throughout the rest of their lives. There is an increased emphasis on honor, as this institution has the only single sanction honor code in the entire United States. No matter who you are when you get to the Virginia Military Institute, it is the ultimate test of personal fortitude, it is the ultimate challenge in terms of refining the human potential for greatness, and it is by far the ultimate unique college experience.

Virginia Military Institute FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Virginia Military Institute?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Virginia Military Institute is 50%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The mean girls are amateur hour compared to the VMI cadre! Do not waste energy on the caddy comments of silly high school girls. Their words mean nothing. Your future will show you that in your darkest hour you can pick yourself up, fall again and then fall again, but you will never quit. You have goals to be a United States Marine. You will learn to prioritize studying while balancing the rigors of VMI. Believe in yourself! You will achieve at the college level because you are meant to accomplish your goals. You will make lifelong friendships.

    Read all 31 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    very conservertive school that has small classroom sizes and promotes interpersonal connections and respect for others.

    Read all 7 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    A fun engaging group with similar views but different ideas.

    Read all 7 answers

  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The short sleep schedule.

    Read all 7 answers

  6. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    The extent of the Rat line.

    Read all 6 answers

  7. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The punishments for some things are too harsh in relation to the action. One week of confinement is not warrented for being 1 minute late to class.

    Read all 6 answers

  8. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    VMI is known for its spartan-like living conditions and the silver tongued upper classmen who appear out of thin air to motivate and guide you in following the 175 year old traditions of right and wrong by loudly encouraging you in your face ...and also attend classes that may apply to your major.

    Read all 5 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    It's the only school I know of where the freshmen are all called rats and have shaved heads.

    Read all 5 answers

  10. What's unique about your campus?

    VMI is the worst place to be at, but the best place to be from. As a cadet you suffer physically and mentally. The rigors of cadet life are around every corner. However, life as a VMI alumni is unbelievable. VMI graduates are taken on faith everywhare as honorable men and women of integrity. VMI gives its graduates a great life post graduation, so graduates are know to be extremely loyal to VMI, and often times give back to the Institute. VMI is second only to Harvard for average amount of money given back per alumnus.

    Read all 4 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person that wants to take the lonely road, a person that wants to serve their country. A leader that wants to be forged and shaped to exceed their potential. Strong both physically and sholastically.

    Read all 4 answers

  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It can physically, mentally and emotional tear you apart, but if you are strong mentally and fight for what you want (not physically) you can do it. But only do it if you want to.

    Read all 4 answers

  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who does not know what they are getting in to, and not willing to work incredibly hard.

    Read all 3 answers

Student Body

Students

11%

female

89%

male

1,713

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

40%

Out-Of-State

59%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

100%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
80%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

78% of students attending Virginia Military Institute receive some sort of financial aid. 13% were awarded federal grants. While 58% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$41,801

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,000

Books and Supplies

$8,968

Room and Board

51,769

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$4,672
$30 - $48K
$11,041
$48 - $75K
$8,798
$75 - $110K
$18,241
$110K & UP
$24,724

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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