Virginia Military Institute
Located in the Shenandoah Valley town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute provides a rigorous military lifestyle on a compact campus. All students are cadets and participate in ROTC, though a significant portion pursue civilian careers after graduation. VMI is known for its emphasis on character development, physical fitness, and a strict honor code, fostering a close-knit and disciplined environment.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Virginia Military Institute's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 16% of students receive Pell Grants; 60% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $12,219, roughly 40% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $3,152 | $12,608 |
| $30K – $48K | $5,980 | $23,920 |
| $48K – $75K | $10,551 | $42,204 |
| $75K – $110K | $16,055 | $64,220 |
| $110K+ | $25,359 | $101,436 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $20,484 | $81,936 |
Programs at Virginia Military Institute
10 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics Compare across schools → |
65
|
$46,046/yr | Very High | 8.8x |
| Civil Engineering Compare across schools → |
63
|
$61,547/yr | High | 8.9x |
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
62
|
$58,225/yr | Very High | 6.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools → |
58
|
$47,837/yr | Very High | 9.2x |
| International Relations Compare across schools → |
55
|
$44,429/yr | High | 8.6x |
| Psychology Compare across schools → |
55
|
$44,163/yr | High | 7.8x |
| Biology Compare across schools → |
54
|
$43,797/yr | High | 8.7x |
| History Compare across schools → |
53
|
$42,543/yr | High | 6.7x |
| Linguistics Compare across schools → |
49
|
$43,923/yr | Very High | 7.8x |
| Physics Compare across schools → |
45
|
$46,641/yr | Very High | 4.7x |