AU vs. VMI

Anderson University and Virginia Military Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Anderson University
Virginia Military Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 71.2%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: VMI. Average net price is $18,825 vs $24,434 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 48% vs VMI 69%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $37,500 vs VMI $62,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Anderson University Virginia Military Institute
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU54.7%
VMI71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1100-1280
VMI1050-1270
Average net price
VMI $5,609 less
AU$24,434
VMI$18,825
In-state tuition
VMI $13,924 less
AU$34,970
VMI$21,046
Out-of-state tuition
AU $17,668 less
AU$34,970
VMI$52,638
Graduation rate
VMI +21 pts
AU48%
VMI69%
Median earnings (10 years)
VMI +$24,600
AU$37,500
VMI$62,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at AU and VMI with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at AU Check my chances at VMI
  • Applied
  • AU 4,548
  • VMI 2,066
  • Admitted
  • AU 2,488
  • VMI 1,472
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 54.7%
  • VMI 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 32.5%
  • VMI 31.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1190
  • VMI 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 25
  • VMI 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.72
  • VMI 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • VMI A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Challenging
  • VMI Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • VMI Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1100-1280
  • VMI 1050-1270
  • ACT range
  • AU 22-29
  • VMI 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • VMI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU
  • VMI Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $34,970
  • VMI $21,046
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $34,970
  • VMI $52,638
  • Room & board
  • AU $12,720
  • VMI $11,310
  • Average net price
  • AU $24,434
  • VMI $18,825
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $25,969
  • VMI $23,821
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 98%
  • VMI 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 48%
  • VMI 69%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $37,500
  • VMI $62,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 60%
  • VMI 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $26,862
  • VMI $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $277
  • VMI $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 13:1
  • VMI 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • VMI
    • Social Sciences (30%)
    • Engineering (23%)
    • History (14%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • VMI Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • VMI Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 4,710
  • VMI 1,527
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • VMI Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #662
  • VMI #123

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Anderson University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 1,527 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
  • Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 11.1% lower than at Anderson University ($11,310 vs. $12,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.5% higher at VMI than at Anderson University (about $17,668 more per year; $52,638 vs. $34,970).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Virginia Military Institute (98% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 9% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($25,969 vs. $23,821).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at VMI than at AU (27 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and VMI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at VMI (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $1,862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($258 vs. $277).
  • More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Anderson University
Virginia Military Institute
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges