HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($18,856 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($13,056 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 282.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $40,300 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.6% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at James Madison University (about $22,946 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 236.1% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($40,720 vs. $12,114).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 120 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at HSC- Hampden-Sydney).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 18.2% at JMU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 Hampden Sydney College's (67%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSC- Hampden-Sydney students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

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.