Virginia Military Institute's published cost of attendance reaches $33,738 annually, including $20,484 in-state tuition, $10,990 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $51,186 in tuition, bringing total costs to $64,440.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $34,824 |
| Tuition and Fees | $52,638 |
| Room and Board | $11,310 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$17,711 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,113 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,697 |
| $30–48k | $9,246 |
| $48–75k | $12,162 |
| $75–110k | $13,385 |
| $110k+ | $23,434 |
Virginia Military Institute's published cost of attendance reaches $33,738 annually, including $20,484 in-state tuition, $10,990 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $51,186 in tuition, bringing total costs to $64,440. However, the average student pays $18,849 after financial aid, representing savings of $14,889 from the sticker price.
VMI's net price falls $5,547 below the peer median of $24,396, indicating favorable affordability compared to similar institutions. The military college structure includes room and board costs that reflect regimental living requirements, though these contribute to the comprehensive educational experience. Financial aid targeting reduces net costs significantly for lower-income students, with families earning under $30,000 paying just $3,152 annually.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
VMI graduates carry median debt levels of $22,996, comparable to the peer median of $21,500, indicating typical borrowing patterns for public institution graduates. Debt ranges from $8,000 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, showing concentrated borrowing patterns with most students avoiding excessive debt loads.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means graduates typically carry debt equal to roughly 30% of their annual income, supporting manageable repayment timelines under standard loan terms. Parent PLUS loans show median debt of $32,150 with monthly payments of $423, reflecting additional family borrowing to support college costs.
The combination of moderate student borrowing with strong post-graduation earnings creates favorable repayment conditions for most VMI alumni. Debt levels reflect the balance between VMI's public pricing and the comprehensive residential experience including military training components.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
VMI delivers strong return on educational investment through exceptional earnings outcomes relative to borrowing levels. Graduates earn $15,606 beyond expectations compared to similar students, placing VMI at the 91.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
With median debt of $22,996 and median earnings of $77,369, graduates achieve favorable debt-to-earnings ratios supporting long-term financial stability. Compared to peer institutions, VMI graduates earn $30,695 more annually while borrowing comparable amounts, creating substantial return advantages.
The institution's return index ranks at the 93.4th percentile, reflecting top-tier performance in converting educational investment into career outcomes. VMI's unique military college model produces graduates prepared for leadership roles across military, government, and private sector careers, supporting sustained earning power throughout their careers.
VMI's financial aid approach reflects both its public institution mission and relatively modest Pell enrollment of 16.5%. The $14,889 difference between sticker price and average net cost indicates substantial aid deployment, though concentrated among students with demonstrated financial need.
Net price variation from $3,152 for lowest-income families to $25,359 for highest-income families shows targeted aid distribution. The aid structure supports VMI's unique position as a specialized military college within public higher education, balancing accessibility with program costs.
Lower-income students benefit from comprehensive aid packages that make VMI competitive with community college costs while providing a distinctive four-year residential experience. The financial aid profile enables VMI to maintain economic diversity within its specialized student body, supporting both Virginia residents and out-of-state students attracted to military college education.
