Goucher College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Goucher College in Baltimore, MD 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 Goucher College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,459 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Goucher College is located in Baltimore, MD (Small City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Goucher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Goucher College 9:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Goucher College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Goucher 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 Goucher College ($18,856 vs. $26,913).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 24% lower than at Goucher College ($13,056 vs. $17,190).
• Goucher College is 274.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $39,100 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.8% higher at Goucher College than at James Madison University (about $21,746 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Goucher College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Goucher College students is 261.5% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($43,791 vs. $12,114).

Goucher College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Goucher 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 Goucher College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Goucher College (1210).
• Incoming Goucher College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Goucher College 1090/1325; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Goucher College 27/30; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Goucher College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Goucher College Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Goucher College (3.23).
• Goucher College has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Goucher College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Goucher College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Goucher 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 Goucher College's (70%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Goucher College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Goucher College graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Goucher College graduates ($216 vs. $268).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Goucher College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)

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.