LEXINGTON, Va., May 1, 2023—The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors approved tuition and fee rates at their meeting in Lexington April 27 – 29. Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute will pay an additional 3% in tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 academic year. For Virginia cadets, the increase amounts to $886 while tuition and fees for out-of-state and international cadets will increase $1,780.

This is the second year in a row that the board has complied with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s request to limit tuition increases for Virginia students. Last year, the board voted to keep tuition flat for Virginia cadets. This year, the governor requested VMI keep any tuition increase at or below 3%.  When considering the full cost of education inclusive of tuition and all fees, the actual net increase for all cadets is 2.9%.

“Setting tuition and fees in an economy where inflation is rising at record levels is no easy task,” said Tom Watjen ’76, president of the VMI Board of Visitors. “Our goal is always to minimize the cost to our cadets and their families. We also must balance cost containment with having the necessary resources to maintain the comprehensive VMI experience that includes rigorous academics, world class leadership training, and top-notch facilities.”

Costs to operate the Institute are rising in almost every expense category because of inflation and state-approved salary increases. VMI and other institutions of higher education are required to contribute to the cost of employee pay raises. Additionally, the costs of goods and services provided to the Institute have risen more quickly in the wake of record inflation over the past two years.

“The Board of Visitors understands that the Institute does not operate in a vacuum. We know the decisions we make affect our current and future cadets. While we have a fiduciary responsibility to provide the necessary resources to carry out the Institute’s mission, we share the governor’s concern about the impact of tuition and fee increases on our cadets and their families,” Watjen said.

The VMI Board of Visitors wrapped up its three-day meeting by re-electing Watjen as president. Hugh Fain ‘80, Gussie Lord ’01, Thomas Gottwald ’83, and Lt. Gen. (ret.) Charles Dominy were elected to serve on the Board of Visitors Executive Committee. Members of the board also bid farewell to three members whose terms were expiring including Gene Scott ‘80, Lara Chambers ‘03, and David Miller ‘70. Gov. Youngkin will name their successors this summer.

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