Head-to-head · 2026
University of Virginia's College at Wise vs Virginia Military Institute
Compare average net price ($9,210 at University of Virginia's College at Wise; $17,113 at Virginia Military Institute), ROI score (12.30 vs 11.30), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,325 vs $77,369), and admissions selectivity (28.5% acceptance at University of Virginia's College at Wise; 71.3% at Virginia Military Institute) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Virginia Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.30 ✓ | 11.30 |
| Avg net price | $9,210 ✓ | $17,113 |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,840 ✓ | $68,452 |
| In-state tuition | $11,780 | $21,046 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,010 | $52,638 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,325 | $77,369 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 28.5% | 71.3% |
| Graduation rate | 47.1% | 76.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.6% | 81% ✓ |
| Median debt | $16,750 ✓ | $22,996 |
| Enrollment | 1,101 | 1,527 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1050 | 1244 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Virginia Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,891 ✓ | $12,697 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,668 ✓ | $9,246 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,455 ✓ | $12,162 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,813 ✓ | $13,385 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,176 ✓ | $23,434 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Virginia Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| History | 6% | 8.6% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 6.4% | 5.6% |
| Computer Science | 2.6% | 6.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Virginia's College at Wise reports the lower average net price by $7,903 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,612 difference over four years ($36,840 vs $68,452).
Virginia Military Institute reports $32,044 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($77,369 vs $45,325). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.6% at University of Virginia's College at Wise and 81% at Virginia Military Institute. Median federal debt among completers is $16,750 vs $22,996, respectively.
3 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
University of Virginia's College at Wise vs Virginia Military Institute, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Virginia's College at Wise is cheaper — average net price $9,210 per year vs $17,113 at Virginia Military Institute. The annual difference of $7,903 adds up to about $31,612 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Virginia Military Institute reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $77,369 vs $45,325 at University of Virginia's College at Wise. The gap in the federal data is $32,044. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Virginia's College at Wise is more selective at 28.5% acceptance vs 71.3% at Virginia Military Institute.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.