Duquesne University vs. JMU

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

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Duquesne University vs. James Madison University comparison
Duquesne University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Duquesne University James Madison University
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Overview

Duquesne University JMU
Location Pittsburgh, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 8,107 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #212 #260
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website duq.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Duquesne University JMU
Tuition (In State) $45,376 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $45,376 $24,744
Room & Board $14,744 $12,040
Avg Net Price $33,919 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $26,800 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 33%

Admission

Duquesne University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,376 30,727
Admitted 10,828 24,062
Acceptance Rate 87.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 13.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 23/29
SAT Range 1160/1330 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 Aug 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Duquesne University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Duquesne University JMU
Graduation Rate 73% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,100 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Duquesne University JMU
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Duquesne University JMU
% In-State 74% 73%
% Out-of-State 24% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Duquesne University based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 8,107 students)

Duquesne University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or JMU?

  • Duquesne University is 490.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($45,376.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.4% higher at Duquesne University than James Madison University ($45,376.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Duquesne University ($18,274 vs. $33,919)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.5% lower than costs at Duquesne University ($12,040 vs. $14,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Duquesne University than James Madison University (95% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 165.8% larger than aid received James Madison University ($26,800 vs. $10,081)

Duquesne University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Duquesne University (1138) is 4 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Duquesne University has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than JMU (78.3%)

Duquesne University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Duquesne 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 Duquesne University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Duquesne University (81% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $4,800 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Duquesne University graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duquesne University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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