Head-to-head · 2026
Virginia Military Institute vs Washington and Lee University
Compare average net price ($17,113 at Virginia Military Institute; $23,781 at Washington and Lee University), ROI score (11.30 vs 9.97), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($77,369 vs $94,810), and admissions selectivity (71.3% acceptance at Virginia Military Institute; 14% at Washington and Lee University) 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 | Virginia Military Institute | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.30 ✓ | 9.97 |
| Avg net price | $17,113 ✓ | $23,781 |
| 4-year avg net price | $68,452 ✓ | $95,124 |
| In-state tuition | $21,046 | $68,045 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,638 | $68,045 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $77,369 | $94,810 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 71.3% | 14% |
| Graduation rate | 76.2% | 93.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 81% | 96.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $22,996 | $19,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,527 | 1,881 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1244 | 1498 |
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 | Virginia Military Institute | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,697 | -$1,777 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,246 | $75 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,162 | $4,497 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,385 | $8,162 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,434 ✓ | $40,646 |
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 | Virginia Military Institute | Washington and Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 10.9% | 9.9% |
| History | 8.6% | 2.7% |
| Biology, General | 7.9% | 3.4% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 5.6% | 3.7% |
| Computer Science | 6.1% | 2.1% |
| Physics | 1.8% | 1.7% |
| Chemistry | 2.3% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Virginia Military Institute reports the lower average net price by $6,668 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,672 difference over four years ($68,452 vs $95,124).
Washington and Lee University reports $17,441 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($94,810 vs $77,369). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81% at Virginia Military Institute and 96.6% at Washington and Lee University. Median federal debt among completers is $22,996 vs $19,500, respectively.
7 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.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Virginia Military Institute vs Washington and Lee University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Virginia Military Institute is cheaper — average net price $17,113 per year vs $23,781 at Washington and Lee University. The annual difference of $6,668 adds up to about $26,672 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Washington and Lee University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $94,810 vs $77,369 at Virginia Military Institute. The gap in the federal data is $17,441. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Washington and Lee University is more selective at 14% 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.