Franciscan vs. JMU

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

Overview

 Franciscan JMU
Location Steubenville, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 3,750 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #549 #259
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website franciscan.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Franciscan JMU
Tuition (In State) $32,070 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $32,070 $25,128
Room & Board $9,540 $12,584
Avg Net Price $24,490 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $18,561 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 81%

Admission

 Franciscan JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,265 35,750
Admitted 1,636 27,258
Acceptance Rate 72.2% 76.2%
Enrolled % 41.2% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.78 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 25/29
SAT Range 1100/1290 1170/1320
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 15, 2026

Academics

 Franciscan JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (30%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Franciscan JMU
Graduation Rate 70% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $227 $216

Diversity

 Franciscan JMU
% Men 9% 2%
% Women 11% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 76%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 Franciscan JMU
% In-State 17% 73%
% Out-of-State 82% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Franciscan based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 3,750 students)

Franciscan vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Franciscan or JMU?

  • Franciscan University of Steubenville is 305.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($32,070.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.6% higher at Franciscan than James Madison University ($32,070.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Franciscan University of Steubenville than JMU ($24,490 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franciscan University of Steubenville are 31.9% lower than costs at James Madison University ($9,540 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Franciscan University of Steubenville than James Madison University (98% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franciscan University of Steubenville students is 316.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($18,561 vs. $4,456)

Franciscan vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Franciscan University of Steubenville (1165) is 31 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Franciscan students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Franciscan students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Franciscan (72.2%)

Franciscan vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Franciscan 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 Franciscan.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Franciscan University of Steubenville (81% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $20,500 more per year than Franciscan graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $39,800)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $1,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Franciscan graduates. ($20,899 vs. $22,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Franciscan graduates. ($216 vs. $227)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Franciscan students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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