Cedarville University vs. JMU

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

Overview

Cedarville University JMU
Location Cedarville, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Town Fringe Small City
Enrollment 5,374 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #331 #259
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cedarville.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cedarville University JMU
Tuition (In State) $35,878 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $35,878 $25,128
Room & Board $9,094 $12,584
Avg Net Price $27,047 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $19,938 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 81%

Admission

Cedarville University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,382 35,750
Admitted 3,381 27,258
Acceptance Rate 62.8% 76.2%
Enrolled % 30.1% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.9 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 25/29
SAT Range 1110/1360 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

Cedarville University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Cedarville University JMU
Graduation Rate 68% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $232 $216

Diversity

Cedarville University JMU
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 4% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 76%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Cedarville University JMU
% In-State 38% 73%
% Out-of-State 59% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Cedarville University based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 5,374 students)

Cedarville University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cedarville University or JMU?

  • Cedarville University is 353.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($35,878.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.8% higher at Cedarville University than James Madison University ($35,878.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Cedarville University ($26,317 vs. $27,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedarville University are 38.4% lower than costs at James Madison University ($9,094 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cedarville University than James Madison University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cedarville University students is 347.4% larger than aid received James Madison University ($19,938 vs. $4,456)

Cedarville University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cedarville University (1169) is 35 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Cedarville University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Cedarville University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Cedarville University (62.8%)

Cedarville University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cedarville University 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 Cedarville University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Cedarville University (81% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,400 more per year than Cedarville University graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,900)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $1,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Cedarville University graduates. ($20,899 vs. $22,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Cedarville University graduates. ($216 vs. $232)
  • More Cedarville University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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