Colorado State vs. JMU

Should I go to Colorado State University Fort Collins or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colorado State 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. 

CU Boulder Mason Virginia Tech VCU CU Denver UVA CNU MSU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD
Colorado State University Fort Collins vs. James Madison University comparison
Colorado State University Fort Collins James Madison University College 3 College 4
Colorado State University Fort Collins James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Colorado State JMU
Location Fort Collins, CO Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 33,403 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colostate.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado State JMU
Tuition (In State) $10,218 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $30,078 $24,744
Room & Board $13,728 $12,040
Avg Net Price $16,926 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $10,727 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 33%

Admission

Colorado State JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,122 30,727
Admitted 30,066 24,062
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 78.3%
Enrolled % 18.5% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 23/29
SAT Range 1080/1290 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 Jul 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Colorado State JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Colorado State JMU
Graduation Rate 64% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,004 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $217 $216

Diversity

Colorado State JMU
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

Colorado State JMU
% In-State 59% 73%
% Out-of-State 40% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (33,403 students vs. 22,224 students)

Colorado State vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or JMU?

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is 33% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($10,218.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.6% higher at Colorado State than James Madison University ($30,078.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado State University Fort Collins than JMU ($16,926 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14% lower than costs at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($12,040 vs. $13,728)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than James Madison University (74% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 6.4% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,727 vs. $10,081)

Colorado State vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1145) is 11 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Colorado State students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than JMU (78.3%)

Colorado State vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado State 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 Colorado State.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins (81% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $8,500 more per year than Colorado State graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $51,800)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $105 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado State graduates. ($20,899 vs. $21,004)
  • JMU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado State graduates. ($216 vs. $217)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

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