Acceptance Rate
71%
Avg. SAT
1270
75th percentile
“America's first state military college, where cadets forge leaders through relentless barracks discipline and daily parades.”
Lexington, VA
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Founded in 1839, Virginia Military Institute stands as the nation's oldest state-supported military college, blending rigorous military training with a full liberal arts curriculum in the quiet Shenandoah Valley town of Lexington. Cadets live as a unified Corps of Cadets, rising before dawn for physical training and inspections in historic open-bay barracks that demand total commitment and minimal personal space. Students who thrive here embrace structure, physical challenges, and leadership roles, often drawn from disciplined backgrounds, while those preferring independence or a relaxed pace find the constant oversight overwhelming.
Photo Gallery
+16
+8
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
VMI delivers a demanding liberal arts education punctuated by military duties, with standout programs in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and applied physics that emphasize hands-on projects and labs over lectures. You'll attend small classes where professors push you to lead discussions and apply concepts immediately, fostering self-reliance amid the corps schedule. Engineering majors benefit from close faculty guidance and real-world design teams, though the heavy training load leaves less time for electives, and popular fields like computer science fill quickly.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,527 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
72%
Black / African American
7%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
7%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Lexington, VA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around the Corps of Cadets, with a typical week blending academics, mandatory workouts, evening study periods under supervision, and weekend parades or training hikes in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Traditions like the freshman 'Rat Line' build camaraderie through intense drills, while social bonds form tightly within your company, though the strict honor code and barracks rules limit casual partying or off-campus escapes. Lexington offers a low-key small-town feel with historic walks and nearby climbing spots, but its rural isolation means weekends often stay regimented, and winters bring biting cold.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Southern Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
81%
4 Years Graduation Rate
64%
6 Years Graduation Rate
75%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$77,369
81% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Virginia Military Institute and return in the fall. 64% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 75% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
64%
4-6 years
11%
Non-grad
25%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$9,782
Acceptance
71%
Undergrads
1,527
4-Year Grad Rate
64%
Endowment
$716M
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Explore More