Head-to-head

Key differences

The biggest gaps between these schools, largest first.

1. 1

   Virginia Military Institute graduates 30 pts more of its students than Southwest Minnesota State (77% vs. 47%)

   Graduation rate
2. 2

   Virginia Military Institute grads earn $26K more ten years out than Southwest Minnesota State's ($77,369 vs. $51,342)

   Median earnings, 10 yrs
3. 3

   Southwest Minnesota State costs about $10K less per year on average than Virginia Military Institute ($17,534 vs. $27,507, all students)

   Average cost, all students
4. 4

   Southwest Minnesota State has 12 pts more first-gen students than Virginia Military Institute (27% vs. 15%)

   First-generation students
5. 5

   Virginia Military Institute's yield is 10 pts higher than Southwest Minnesota State's

   Yield rate
6. 6

   Virginia Military Institute's grants cover 41% of its full price on average, vs. 32% at Southwest Minnesota State

   Aid generosity

The shape of each school

Each axis is a national rank among 4-year colleges; further out = more of it.