Centre College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Centre College in Danville, 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 Centre College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centre College is located in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centre College 10:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Centre College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centre 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 James Madison University than Centre College ($18,856 vs. $23,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.8% lower than at Centre College ($13,056 vs. $14,640).
• Centre College is 270.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $38,570 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at Centre College than at James Madison University (about $21,216 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 263.3% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($44,015 vs. $12,114).

Centre College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centre 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 Centre College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centre College (1310) is 50 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming Centre College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 1160/1450; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 25/32; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centre College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Centre 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 Centre College (54.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Centre College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Centre College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centre 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).

• Centre College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than James Madison University's (81%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centre College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.