Allegheny College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allegheny College is located in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allegheny College 8:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Allegheny College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allegheny College or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Allegheny College ($18,856 vs. $26,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 7.4% lower than at Allegheny College ($13,056 vs. $14,100).
• Allegheny College is 296.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $42,300 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at Allegheny College than at James Madison University (about $24,946 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 271.4% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($44,987 vs. $12,114).

Allegheny College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Allegheny College or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Allegheny College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Allegheny College (1270) is 10 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming Allegheny College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 1173/1358; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 25/30; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Allegheny College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Allegheny College (3.53).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Allegheny College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Allegheny College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Allegheny College and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Allegheny College's (80%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Allegheny College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $8,101 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($20,899 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($216 vs. $299).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allegheny College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.