EMU vs. SU

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

 EMU SU
Location Harrisonburg, VA Winchester, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 1,334 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #215 #537
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emu.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EMU SU
Tuition (In State) $40,590 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $40,590 $33,790
Room & Board $12,240 $11,230
Avg Net Price $23,783 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $30,460 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

 EMU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,144 2,296
Admitted 1,138 1,845
Acceptance Rate 99.5% 80.4%
Enrolled % 17.8% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/34 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1590 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 EMU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (30%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • General Studies (5%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 EMU SU
Graduation Rate 66% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,900 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,450 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $242 $258

Diversity

 EMU SU
% Men 34% 32%
% Women 66% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 59%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 13%

Students

 EMU SU
% In-State 68% 52%
% Out-of-State 27% 48%

Campus

 EMU SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than EMU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 1,334 students)

EMU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EMU or SU?

  • Eastern Mennonite University is 20.1% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($40,590.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.1% higher at EMU than Shenandoah University ($40,590.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Mennonite University than SU ($23,783 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 9% lower than costs at Eastern Mennonite University ($11,230 vs. $12,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Eastern Mennonite University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students is 29.8% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($30,460 vs. $23,467)

EMU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Mennonite University (1009) is 4 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming EMU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman EMU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at SU (3.7)
  • EMU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than SU (80.4%)

EMU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EMU or SU? 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 SU and EMU.

  • The graduation rate at EMU is higher than Shenandoah University (66% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $4,400 more per year than EMU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $43,900)
  • Eastern Mennonite University students graduate with a $1,550 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($23,450 vs. $25,000)
  • EMU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than SU graduates. ($242 vs. $258)
  • More EMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 60%)

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