Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University vs Virginia Military Institute: which has better ROI?
Virginia Military Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,452 in 2.4 years versus 3 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, on median earnings of $77,369 vs $81,698 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Virginia Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,953 | $17,113 |
| Total net cost | $99,812 | $68,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,698 | $77,369 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $22,996 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $566,948 | $511,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute?
Virginia Military Institute, at $17,113 a year after aid versus $24,953 — a gap of $7,840 a year, or $31,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute graduates earn more?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates report a median $81,698 ten years after entry, $4,329 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, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Military Institute?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $22,996 at Virginia Military Institute, a difference of $1,496. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 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.