USAO vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Military Institute is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is located in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

USAO vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USAO 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 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than VMI ($8,070 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 3.3% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($10,940 vs. $11,310).
• Virginia Military Institute is 133.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $12,046 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.7% higher at VMI than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (about $32,448 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $20,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Virginia Military Institute (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 82.3% larger than aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students ($23,821 vs. $13,068).

USAO vs. VMI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USAO 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 USAO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at USAO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USAO - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USAO (3.43).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.7% at USAO vs. 31.7% at VMI.

USAO vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USAO 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 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 54%)

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.