EMU vs. JMU

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

Overview

 EMU JMU
Location Harrisonburg, VA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 1,334 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #215 #260
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EMU JMU
Tuition (In State) $40,590 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $40,590 $24,744
Room & Board $12,240 $12,040
Avg Net Price $23,783 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $30,460 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 33%

Admission

 EMU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,144 30,727
Admitted 1,138 24,062
Acceptance Rate 99.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 17.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/34 23/29
SAT Range 1040/1590 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 EMU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (30%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • General Studies (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 EMU JMU
Graduation Rate 66% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,450 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $242 $216

Diversity

 EMU JMU
% Men 34% 42%
% Women 66% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 76%
% Black 10% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 EMU JMU
% In-State 68% 73%
% Out-of-State 27% 26%

Campus

 EMU 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 EMU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,334 students)

EMU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EMU or JMU?

  • Eastern Mennonite University is 428.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($40,590.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64% higher at EMU than James Madison University ($40,590.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than EMU ($18,274 vs. $23,783)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 1.7% lower than costs at Eastern Mennonite University ($12,040 vs. $12,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than James Madison University (96% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students is 202.2% larger than aid received James Madison University ($30,460 vs. $10,081)

EMU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 125 points higher than at EMU (1009)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at EMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman EMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • EMU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than JMU (78.3%)

EMU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EMU 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 EMU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Eastern Mennonite University (81% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $16,400 more per year than EMU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $43,900)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,551 lower median federal student loan debt than EMU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,450)
  • JMU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than EMU graduates. ($216 vs. $242)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EMU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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