My 0.0198754 cents would also be if finances are not an issue, besides what others have already post:
1. Right now assume he will do 4 and leave, many kids walk in and say they are going to do career (20 yrs), but statistically very few do stay for 20. Many leave at the 1st opportunity.
~IMPO, I would say UVA is a better choice. UVA is considered a public Ivy. Actually is seen as number 2 in the nation, only behind Berkeley by many organizations, such as, Money, USNWR, Fortune, etc. It has a great network for alumni when it comes to employment opportunities, and their name alone carries weight from an undergrad aspect.
2. How far away are either of these schools?
~ Many kids can't wait to fly the nest, but once there they can become homesick, especially if there is a long weekend, such as, Columbus Day when many kids leave the dorms to go home. Will one be close enough to go home just because they want to, or are both so far away that Thanksgiving is realistically the 1st time they will go home after moving into the dorms in Aug.?
3. UVA is the heart of Charlottesville. The town is really there for the school and its students. I live in VA,@90 miles away and I would say UVA alumni, parents, students are just as rabid about supporting them like VT. The school spirit is amazing.
~ Can't speak for RPI in that aspect, but it is something to think about.
4. Weather. Silly I know, but not everybody in this world likes tons of snow over many months. UVAs weather typically will be milder than RPI. Flipside if you love winter sports, i.e. skiing than RPI is a better option.
5. Life outside of school. Charlottesville is not a big city, but than again, it is close enough to go to DC or Richmond on the weekend. @2 hours away, and Megabus is an easy option if you don't have a car.
6. Sports. For my kids this was part of their decision. Again, silly, but it is part of college life experience.
~ UVA has great ACC athletic teams. Weekends in the fall will be full of football games. If you go to UVA, learn how to tie a bowtie because the joke about mandatory apparel is bowtie and pearls. They dress up for the games.
Like I said, this is just my 0.019875 cents. ROTC is going to be a huge part of their life, but so will their academics and social life when you think about being a success in college and ROTC. It is a balance of everything, not just 1 aspect. You can't commission or get your 1st choice in career selection if you are so miserable at the school that your grades take a hit. Your scholarship and commissioning maybe at risk if the academic program is so hard that you request to change majors due to gpa.
Good luck, and thank your DS for his desire to defend this great nation.
PS I am a Hokie (VT) and UMD (parent)...not a fan of UVA, but I give credit where credit is due, and academically UVA deserves my respect that is only parallel with colleges like HYPPSM, UNCCH and Duke.