Guilford College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Guilford College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 Guilford College ($18,856 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 2.6% lower than at Guilford College ($13,056 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 190.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $27,112 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Guilford College than at James Madison University (about $9,758 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 175.9% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($33,419 vs. $12,114).

Guilford College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming JMU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Guilford College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,736 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($216 vs. $275).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 51%)

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.