Those who choose VMI don’t settle for ordinary.

It is the mission of Virginia Military Institute to produce educated and honorable leaders who are ready for the challenges of 21st-century citizenship. The Institute offers bachelor’s degrees in 14 majors and 27 minors and boasts a student to faculty ratio of 10 to one. Fifty percent of graduates are awarded degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Health and 97% are employed or attending graduate school within five months of graduation.

The unique experience at VMI, balancing academics, military training, and athletics, results in the Institute consistently being recognized in college rankings as a top choice for undergraduate education.

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Ranking Highlights: 2024-2025

Washington Monthly 2024 Top Liberal Arts Colleges:

• No. 1 liberal arts college in the nation for ROTC Rank
• No. 24 liberal arts college in the nation for graduation rate performance 
• No. 30 liberal arts college in the nation for net price rank 
• No. 74 liberal arts college in the nation based on contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.
• No. 80 liberal arts college in the Southeast for "Best Bang for the Buck"  

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Ranking Highlights: 2023-2024

Money Magazine:

• ★★★★★ out of 5 as one of the Best Colleges in America (2024 list)
• Estimated average early career earnings of $77,000 for VMI alumnus

U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges:

• No. 4 rank in Top Public Schools list
• No. 63 rank in National Liberal Art Colleges list
• No. 30 (tie) in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs* list

Niche 2024 Best College Rankings:

• A- in the 2024 report card, based on categories such as academics, athletics, and value.  
• No. 49 of 309 for Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America [Top 16%]
• No. 59 of 968 for Best Small Colleges in America [Top 6%]
• No. 61 of 405 for Best Colleges for International Relations in America [Top 15%]
• No. 75 of 1,482 for Best Value Colleges in America [Top 5%]
• No. 2 of 24 for Best Small Colleges in Virginia [Top 8%]
• No. 3 of 39 for Best Value Colleges in Virginia [Top 8%]
• No. 3 of 15 for Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia [Top 20%]
• No. 6 of 40 for Best Colleges in Virginia [Top 15%]
• No. 7 of 40 for Colleges with the Best Academics in Virginia [Top 18%]
• No. 9 of 37 for Best College Athletics in Virginia [Top 24%]

Payscale.com Rankings & Facts:

• No. 68 in the nation for top colleges for a bachelor's degree with the highest-paid graduates
• No. 3 in Virginia for college/university with best alumni salary potential
• Early Career Pay (Media Salary 0-5 years of experience): $78,200
• Mid-Career Pay (Media Salary 10+ years of experience): $145,300

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* = schools where a doctorate degree is not offered.