Alvernia University vs. JMU

Should I go to Alvernia University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alvernia University or JMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Alvernia University vs. James Madison University comparison
Alvernia University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Alvernia University James Madison University
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Overview

 Alvernia University JMU
Location Reading, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 2,485 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #626 #259
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alvernia.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Alvernia University JMU
Tuition (In State) $41,060 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $41,060 $25,128
Room & Board $15,090 $12,584
Avg Net Price $26,166 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $28,611 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 81%

Admission

 Alvernia University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,491 35,750
Admitted 3,422 27,258
Acceptance Rate 62.3% 76.2%
Enrolled % 12.1% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/29
SAT Range 1066/1253 1170/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Alvernia University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Alvernia University JMU
Graduation Rate 53% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

 Alvernia University JMU
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 12% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 76%
% Black 13% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

 Alvernia University JMU
% In-State 69% 73%
% Out-of-State 27% 26%

Campus

 Alvernia University JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 2,485 students)

Alvernia University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or JMU?

  • Alvernia University is 418.8% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($41,060.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.4% higher at Alvernia University than James Madison University ($41,060.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alvernia University than JMU ($26,166 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 19.9% lower than costs at Alvernia University ($12,584 vs. $15,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than James Madison University (99% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 542.1% larger than aid received James Madison University ($28,611 vs. $4,456)

Alvernia University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or JMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between JMU or Alvernia University .

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 136 points higher than at Alvernia University (998)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Alvernia University (22)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Alvernia University (3.41)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Alvernia University (62.3%)

Alvernia University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alvernia University or JMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between JMU and Alvernia University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Alvernia University (81% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $15,500 more per year than Alvernia University graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $44,800)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/