VMI, The Nation's Oldest Public Military College, Educates Leaders for Both Military and Civilian Careers

Virginia Military Institute (VMI), established in 1839, is the nation's oldest state-supported military college, and the fourth-oldest technological institution in the United States. The school is committed to educating men and women in a tradition of military discipline and excellence. All students participate in an ROTC program of their choice. Military service to the country is encouraged, but commissioning is not required. Approximately half of VMI graduates choose a civilian career after graduation, and all graduates serve their community and country as leaders in the way that is most acceptable to their individual personalities and goals.

At VMI, Every Cadet is an Athlete and Every Athlete is a Cadet with a Wide Range of Athletic Opportunities

Athletics and competition are integral aspects of the Virginia Military Institute experience. As a part of VMI's commitment to helping students develop leadership skills, all students are expected to participate in sports at some level. The athletics options available to students are many. Students can choose to participate in athletics at the club or intramural levels, and they also have the option of joining one of VMI's competitive NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports teams. VMI game days provide cadets and their parents with an opportunity to gather, beginning with parades by the Corps of Cadets and followed by a tradition of tailgating and getting to know one another. Pride and companionship, as well as leadership, are fostered by the athletic tradition at VMI.

Barracks Life Is Not Dorm Life; Students in the Barracks Form Bonds as They Learn Respect and Discipline

Life in the barracks at Virginia Military Institute is one of the hallmarks of a VMI education. Vastly different from any dorm or fraternity or sorority house at traditional institutions of higher education, the barracks are known for their modest and Spartan nature. Students are provided with the bare essentials as they live with multiple roommates and only a small amount of storage space. They are expected to maintain a commitment to cleanliness and order in their living spaces. Barracks life ensures that cadets get to know one another intimately and develop respectful relationships as equals. Living with individuals from diverse backgrounds and being free from ordinary distractions are two of the benefits of the barracks style. Students are focused and motivated, and they develop lifelong bonds with one another.

Virginia Military Institute Strives for Academic Excellence in Every Field of Study

Another distinctive feature of VMI is its commitment to academic excellence. Military-oriented colleges and universities are often subject to the stereotype that science and engineering fields receive precedence at the expense of the liberal arts. In direct contradiction of this stereotype, Virginia Military Institute has consistently been ranked among the top public colleges in the nation for liberal arts by "US News & World Report." The school is committed to ensuring that cadets receive top-quality educations, no matter what their chosen field of study, because being prepared for success and leadership is equally important in every area of professional life.

Social Activities at VMI Are Part of What Makes Cadet Life a Unique, Memorable Experience

Outside the classroom, Virginia Military Institute provides numerous social events to cadets throughout the year. Like most other aspects of education at VMI, cadet life is unconventional and unique. The most distinctive of the social events at VMI is the second class Ring Figure Ball, which cadets attend in uniform, with their dates dressed in white. The ball celebrates the earning of "The Ring," a longstanding tradition. In addition, movie nights, informal dances, live music, and other activities help to keep morale high throughout each academic year.

The First-Year Experience at Virginia Military Institute is Atypical, Highly Challenging, and Highly Rewarding

At VMI, every first-year cadet is referred to as a Rat. As such, he or she undergoes a unique first-year process known as the Rat Line. The Rat Line involves strict procedures. For example, when in barracks, a rat walks at attention along a prescribed route through the barracks. The Rat Line also requires meticulousness in grooming, personal habits, and memorization of school songs and yells. The Rat system is an initiation process designed to teach students excellence, military bearing and discipline, self-control and humility, respect for authority, habits of neatness, and the history and traditions of Virginia Military Institute.

• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Civil Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanical Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Modern Languages
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Relations and Affairs
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied1,718
• Accepted913
• Acceptance Rate53%
• Enrolled1,722
• Female Applicants273
• Females Accepted135
• Female Acceptance Rate49%
• Male Applicants1,445
• Males Accepted778
• Male Acceptance Rate53%
• Applying
• Application Fee $40
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.67
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen February 1st --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan November 15th December 15th --
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer February 1st --
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 560 640
• SAT Math 540 640
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite 23 28
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$8,884
• Out-of-state tuition *$34,572
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$9,330
• Room and board *$9,236
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionNot Reported

• Average Financial Aid Package:$24,611
• Average Freshman Financial Aid Package:$22,640
• Average Loan Aid:$3,861
• Average Grant Aid:$2,791
• Average Scholarship and/or Grant Aid Awarded:$12,678
• Percentage of Students with Need who Receive Financial Aid:99%
• Average Percentage of Financial Need Met: 85%
• Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met: 30%

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students1,722
• Male Student Percentage88%
• Female Student Percentage12%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino7.08%
• Black or African American6.04%
• White or Caucasian78.75%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.52%
• Asian4.18%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.29%
• Two or more races1.45%
• Unknown or International Student.06%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout1.63% representing 6 other countries
• Out-of-state Students36% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 100%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station No
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band Yes
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations No
• Most popular organizations Newman Club, Officers Christian Fellowship, strength and fitness organizations, Promaji, Pre-Law Society
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Yes
• Late-night transport / escort services Not Reported
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Not Reported
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division 1 Yes
• Basketball No Division 1 Yes
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Football No Division 1 Yes
• Golf No No Yes
• Lacrosse No Division 1 Yes
• Rifle No Division 1 Yes
• Soccer No Division 1 Yes
• Swimming No Division 1 Yes
• Tennis No No Yes
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Water polo No No No
• Wrestling No Division 1 Yes
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball No No No
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Football No No No
• Golf No No No
• Lacrosse No No No
• Rifle No Division 1 Yes
• Soccer No Division 1 No
• Swimming No Division 1 No
• Tennis No No No
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Water polo No Division 1 No
• Wrestling No No No

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty207
• Full-time Percentage66%
• Part-time Percentage34%
• Female Percentage32%
• Male Percentage68%
• Student:Faculty Ratio11:1 or 1,722 students to 160 faculty