Fordham vs. JMU

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

 Fordham JMU
Location Bronx, NY Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 16,556 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #118 #260
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fordham.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Fordham JMU
Tuition (In State) $56,920 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $56,920 $24,744
Room & Board $21,060 $12,040
Avg Net Price $43,943 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $33,129 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 33%

Admission

 Fordham JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 47,203 30,727
Admitted 25,550 24,062
Acceptance Rate 54.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 10.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 30/33 23/29
SAT Range 1320/1480 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 Jan 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Fordham JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Fordham JMU
Graduation Rate 78% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $268 $216

Diversity

 Fordham JMU
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 76%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 14% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 Fordham JMU
% In-State 35% 73%
% Out-of-State 56% 26%

Campus

 Fordham 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 Fordham based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 16,556 students)

Fordham vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham or JMU?

  • Fordham University is 640.8% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($56,920.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 130% higher at Fordham than James Madison University ($56,920.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Fordham ($18,274 vs. $43,943)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 74.9% lower than costs at Fordham University ($12,040 vs. $21,060)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fordham University than James Madison University (96% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 228.6% larger than aid received James Madison University ($33,129 vs. $10,081)

Fordham vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Fordham University (1273) is 139 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Fordham students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Fordham students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Fordham (54.1%)

Fordham vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fordham 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 Fordham.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Fordham University (81% vs. 78%)
  • Graduates from Fordham University earn on average $3,900 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($64,200 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $5,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Fordham graduates. ($20,899 vs. $26,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Fordham graduates. ($216 vs. $268)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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