ASU vs. JMU

Should I go to Appalachian State University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU 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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Appalachian State University vs. James Madison University comparison
Appalachian State University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University James Madison University
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Overview

 ASU JMU
Location Boone, NC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 20,436 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #594 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $20,246 $24,744
Room & Board $11,582 $12,040
Avg Net Price $13,084 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $7,443 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 33%

Admission

 ASU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,255 30,727
Admitted 18,489 24,062
Acceptance Rate 83.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 21.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 23/29
SAT Range 1100/1270 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 Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 ASU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 ASU JMU
Graduation Rate 65% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $211 $216

Diversity

 ASU JMU
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 ASU JMU
% In-State 87% 73%
% Out-of-State 13% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than ASU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 20,436 students)

ASU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 81.1% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($7,684.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.2% higher at JMU than Appalachian State University ($24,744.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than JMU ($13,084 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 4% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,582 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Appalachian State University than James Madison University (47% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 35.4% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($10,081 vs. $7,443)

ASU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 23 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than JMU (78.3%)

ASU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU 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 ASU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Appalachian State University (81% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $18,700 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $399 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $20,899)
  • ASU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($211 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)

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