University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Virginia Military Institute: which has better ROI?
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,260 in 2.2 years versus 2.4 years at Virginia Military Institute, on median earnings of $86,863 vs $77,369 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Virginia Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,565 | $17,113 |
| Total net cost | $86,260 | $68,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,863 | $77,369 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $22,996 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $683,800 | $511,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia-Main Campus or Virginia Military Institute?
Virginia Military Institute, at $17,113 a year after aid versus $21,565 — a gap of $4,452 a year, or $17,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Virginia-Main Campus or Virginia Military Institute graduates earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates report a median $86,863 ten years after entry, $9,494 more than the $77,369 at Virginia Military Institute. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Virginia-Main Campus or Virginia Military Institute?
University of Virginia-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $22,996 at Virginia Military Institute, a difference of $5,496. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at University of Virginia-Main Campus, against 76% at Virginia Military Institute. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.