Bucknell vs. JMU

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

Bucknell JMU
Location Lewisburg, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 3,787 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #71 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bucknell.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bucknell JMU
Tuition (In State) $61,408 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $61,408 $24,744
Room & Board $15,358 $12,040
Avg Net Price $39,965 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $37,775 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 33%

Admission

Bucknell JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,707 30,727
Admitted 3,811 24,062
Acceptance Rate 32.6% 78.3%
Enrolled % 27.1% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/33 23/29
SAT Range 1310/1470 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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Bucknell JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Bucknell JMU
Graduation Rate 91% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $76,300 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Bucknell JMU
% Men 48% 42%
% Women 52% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Bucknell JMU
% In-State 21% 73%
% Out-of-State 74% 26%

Campus

Bucknell JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Bucknell based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 3,787 students)

Bucknell vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or JMU?

  • Bucknell University is 699.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($61,408.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 148.2% higher at Bucknell than James Madison University ($61,408.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Bucknell ($18,274 vs. $39,965)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 27.6% lower than costs at Bucknell University ($12,040 vs. $15,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bucknell University than James Madison University (56% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 274.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($37,775 vs. $10,081)

Bucknell vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bucknell University (1315) is 181 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Bucknell students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Bucknell 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 (78.3%) than Bucknell (32.6%)

Bucknell vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bucknell 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 Bucknell.

  • The graduation rate at Bucknell is higher than James Madison University (91% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Bucknell University earn on average $16,000 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($76,300 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Bucknell graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Bucknell graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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