AU vs. JMU

Should I go to Averett 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.
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Averett University vs. James Madison University comparison
Averett University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Averett University James Madison University
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Overview

 AU JMU
Location Danville, VA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 1,363 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #661 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website averett.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU JMU
Tuition (In State) $37,640 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $37,640 $24,744
Room & Board $11,360 $12,040
Avg Net Price $23,781 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $26,246 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

 AU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,324 30,727
Admitted 1,767 24,062
Acceptance Rate 76% 78.3%
Enrolled % 14.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/22 23/29
SAT Range 850/1170 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

 AU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 AU JMU
Graduation Rate 41% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,400 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $258 $216

Diversity

 AU JMU
% Men 48% 42%
% Women 52% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 76%
% Black 33% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

 AU JMU
% In-State 46% 73%
% Out-of-State 45% 26%

Campus

 AU 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 AU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,363 students)

AU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or JMU?

  • Averett University is 389.8% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($37,640.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.1% higher at AU than James Madison University ($37,640.00 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. $23,781)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Averett University are 6% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,360 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Averett University than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 160.4% larger than aid received James Madison University ($26,246 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 James Madison University (1134) is 221 points higher than at AU (913)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at AU (20)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at AU (3.07)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than AU (76%)

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 Averett University (81% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $11,900 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $48,400)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,101 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($216 vs. $258)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 51%)

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