VMI Maintains Strong Rankings in U.S. News Best Colleges List

VMI maintained its reputation as one of the nation’s best colleges, according to the 2027 Best Colleges rankings released Sept. 22 by U.S. News and World Report.

Among public liberal arts colleges, the Institute ranked fourth behind only the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United States Air Force Academy. VMI ranked No. 62 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges.

Unlike many other publications that issue college rankings, U.S. News also ranks certain programs found at numerous colleges and universities. This year, VMI moved up to No. 26 out of more than 300 institutions nationwide that have an accredited engineering program but do not offer a doctorate degree. The Institute’s undergraduate economics program was also recognized in this year’s rankings.

The application for the Corps of Cadets is open for the next academic year and the admissions staff is available for any questions. Open houses are the best way for high school juniors and seniors to experience what it’s like to be a VMI cadet. More than 97% of VMI graduates are employed or enrolled in a graduate program within five months of commencement. U.S. News reports the median salary of a VMI alumnus is $63,545 six years after graduation.

U.S. News analysts work to enable students and their families to identify colleges that meet their needs, using a wide variety of data sources. The methodology is very thorough, with data-driven comparison of more than 1,700 colleges and universities using up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate success.