Staten Island vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Staten Island vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or VMI? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Staten Island CUNY than VMI ($6,525 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 46.5% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($11,310 vs. $21,155).
• Virginia Military Institute is 181% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $13,556 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.9% higher at VMI than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $37,198 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at College of Staten Island CUNY (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 179.4% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($23,821 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or VMI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VMI and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Military Institute (1160) is 90 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Staten Island vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and VMI? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $11,013 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($13,987 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($144 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.