Berea College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Berea College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than JMU ($5,888 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 37.1% lower than at James Madison University ($8,208 vs. $13,056).
• Berea College is 262.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $37,408 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Berea College than at James Madison University (about $20,054 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 352.6% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($54,830 vs. $12,114).

Berea College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 10 points higher than at Berea College (1250).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Berea College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at JMU (3.57).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Berea College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $15,099 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($5,800 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $157 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($59 vs. $216).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.