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.

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Arcadia University vs. James Madison University comparison
Arcadia University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Arcadia University James Madison University
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Overview

Arcadia JMU
Location Glenside, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 3,026 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #502 #260
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website arcadia.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arcadia JMU
Tuition (In State) $46,430 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $46,430 $24,744
Room & Board $13,720 $12,040
Avg Net Price $29,692 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $30,934 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 33%

Admission

Arcadia JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,321 30,727
Admitted 4,903 24,062
Acceptance Rate 77.6% 78.3%
Enrolled % 10% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29 23/29
SAT Range 1088/1320 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

Academics

Arcadia JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 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 32% 42%
% Women 68% 58%
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 62% 73%
% Out-of-State 37% 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 (22,224 students vs. 3,026 students)

Arcadia vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or JMU?

  • Arcadia University is 504.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($46,430.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.6% higher at Arcadia than James Madison University ($46,430.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Arcadia ($18,274 vs. $29,692)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14% lower than costs at Arcadia University ($12,040 vs. $13,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arcadia University than James Madison University (99% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 206.9% larger than aid received James Madison University ($30,934 vs. $10,081)

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)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Arcadia (77.6%)

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/