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 Rate
50%
Application Deadline
15-Nov
Application Fee
40
SAT Range
1060-1240
ACT Range
23-28
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”
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.
Maura - 09/02/2017
It is great school for both academics and discipline. The skills learned at VMI can be applied in both military or civilian world, and put the students ahead in both leadership and integrity. VMI teaches how to time manage like no other college in America. Cadets here learn how to do get work done quickly and never lacking in quality.
William - 07/05/2017
In my opinion the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is the best college that this country has to offer. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend VMI. The institute has bestowed integrity, discipline, and honor upon every single one of us cadets. I have faced many challenges while at VMI, whether physical, mental, or emotional. But the beauty of this is that VMI has taught me how to overcome these challenges and learn from them. These rigors are what help us meet the academic demands of the school. It is not easy; VMI requires more than just basic knowledge of the curriculum and much more than just a little bit of my time. VMI has enabled me to exceed my own expectations personal abilities. I was able to make the Dean’s List for both semesters of my first year at VMI and I recently just received my Emergency Medical Technician certification. Before attending VMI, I would never have dreamed of achieving either one of these accomplishments.
Nathan - 11/23/2016
This is literally the toughest school in the nation. At VMI you will find the military life mixed with the educational life mixed with extracurricular activities in a blend not seen on any other college campus. The Ratline at VMI continues to be a case study in professional behavior and character growth that rivals the training regimens of the Academies. If you want your degree to carry the weight it's supposed to, then challenge yourself; attend the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.58%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
