Georgia College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Georgia College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 7,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia College & State University is located in Milledgeville, GA (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Georgia College & State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia College & State University 17:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Georgia College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia College or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Georgia College ($18,856 vs. $21,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia College & State University are 5.8% lower than at James Madison University ($12,302 vs. $13,056).
• James Madison University is 55.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia College (about $5,064 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $9,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at JMU than at Georgia College & State University (about $2,092 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $29,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia College & State University than at James Madison University (95% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 39.7% larger than aid received by Georgia College & State University students ($12,114 vs. $8,673).

Georgia College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia College or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Georgia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 110 points higher than at Georgia College (1150).
• Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Georgia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 1070/1230; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 22/26; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia College - Required; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia College Apr 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Georgia College (3.53).
• Georgia College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Georgia College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Georgia College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia College and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Georgia College & State University's (55%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Georgia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $1,101 lower median loan debt than Georgia College graduates ($20,899 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia College graduates ($216 vs. $227).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.