LEXINGTON, Va., Sept. 13, 2021—Virginia Military Institute has retained its high placing among the nation’s best colleges, according to 2022 college rankings released this fall by nationwide publications.

Among public liberal arts colleges, the Institute ranked fourth only behind the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy.  The Institute was ranked 67th among more than 220 national liberal arts colleges, up from 69th a year ago and 72nd two years ago.

VMI is also included on the unranked list, “A+ Schools for B Students.” Contributing to the Institute’s inclusion on that list is its first-year retention rate of 85%.

Unlike many other publications that issue college rankings, U.S. News also ranks certain programs found at many colleges and universities. This year, VMI ranked 29th out of 239 institutions nationwide that have an accredited engineering program but do not grant a doctoral degree. In undergraduate computer science, the Institute ranked 191st out of 538 programs, up from 210th last year.

Washington Monthly ranked VMI 42nd out of more than 200 liberal arts colleges nationwide, making it the top-ranked public liberal arts school in Virginia. Washington Monthly ranks colleges and universities according to their contribution to the public good as measured by three factors: social mobility, research, and the promotion of public service. 

The Institute is also included on Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck,” list, which is meant to guide students from low- and middle-income families toward schools that will help them earn marketable degrees at affordable prices.

Payscale.com, which bases its college rankings on how much graduates typically earn, ranked VMI 48th in return on investment and 77th among institutions granting a bachelor’s degree. The Payscale.com report noted that Institute alumni earn an average of almost $70,000 early in their careers and $129,000 mid-career. Sixty-seven percent say that their work makes the world a better place.

Mary Price
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE