AU vs. JMU

Should I go to American University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Mason Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Georgetown Elon
American University vs. James Madison University comparison
American University James Madison University College 3 College 4
American University James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 AU JMU
Location Washington, DC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #260
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU JMU
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $24,744
Room & Board $15,706 $12,040
Avg Net Price $41,369 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 33%

Admission

 AU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 30,727
Admitted 7,926 24,062
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 78.3%
Enrolled % 22.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 23/29
SAT Range 1290/1430 1140/1320
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 AU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 AU JMU
Graduation Rate 77% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $250 $216

Diversity

 AU JMU
% Men 37% 42%
% Women 63% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 76%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 AU JMU
% In-State 2% 73%
% Out-of-State 94% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or JMU?

  • American University is 590.7% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 114.5% higher at AU than James Madison University ($53,070.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than AU ($18,274 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 30.4% lower than costs at American University ($12,040 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than James Madison University (66% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 169.2% larger than aid received James Madison University ($27,138 vs. $10,081)

AU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 118 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming AU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU 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 AU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than American University (81% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $4,500 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $3,351 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $24,250)
  • JMU graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($216 vs. $250)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU 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/