Arcadia vs. JMU

Should I go to Arcadia University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arcadia 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. 

Mason Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU Penn State
Arcadia University vs. James Madison University comparison
Arcadia University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Arcadia University James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Arcadia JMU
Location Glenside, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 3,142 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #471 #259
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website arcadia.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arcadia JMU
Tuition (In State) $47,590 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $47,590 $25,128
Room & Board $16,250 $12,584
Avg Net Price $26,994 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $34,234 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 81%

Admission

Arcadia JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,688 35,750
Admitted 5,296 27,258
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 76.2%
Enrolled % 7.9% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/30 25/29
SAT Range 1083/1310 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

Arcadia JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Arcadia JMU
Graduation Rate 62% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Arcadia JMU
% Men 11% 2%
% Women 28% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 76%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Arcadia JMU
% In-State 66% 73%
% Out-of-State 32% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 3,142 students)

Arcadia vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or JMU?

  • Arcadia University is 501.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($47,590.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.4% higher at Arcadia than James Madison University ($47,590.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Arcadia ($26,317 vs. $26,994)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 29.1% lower than costs at Arcadia University ($12,584 vs. $16,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arcadia University than James Madison University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 668.3% larger than aid received James Madison University ($34,234 vs. $4,456)

Arcadia vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 30 points higher than at Arcadia (1104)
  • Incoming Arcadia students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
  • Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than JMU (76.2%)

Arcadia vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arcadia 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 Arcadia.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Arcadia University (81% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $13,900 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $46,400)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Arcadia graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Arcadia graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

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