HPU vs. JMU

Should I go to High Point University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if HPU 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.
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High Point University vs. James Madison University comparison
High Point University James Madison University College 3 College 4
High Point University James Madison University
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Overview

 HPU JMU
Location High Point, NC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 6,052 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #259
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website highpoint.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 HPU JMU
Tuition (In State) $38,748 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $38,748 $25,128
Room & Board $18,462 $12,584
Avg Net Price $43,578 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $18,149 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 81%

Admission

 HPU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,625 35,750
Admitted 12,004 27,258
Acceptance Rate 76.8% 76.2%
Enrolled % 12.2% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/31 25/29
SAT Range 1110/1300 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 Mar 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 HPU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 HPU JMU
Graduation Rate - 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,421 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $231 $216

Diversity

 HPU JMU
% Men 6% 2%
% Women 11% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 HPU JMU
% In-State 24% 73%
% Out-of-State 75% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than HPU based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 6,052 students)

HPU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HPU or JMU?

  • High Point University is 389.6% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($38,748.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.2% higher at HPU than James Madison University ($38,748.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than HPU ($26,317 vs. $43,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 46.7% lower than costs at High Point University ($12,584 vs. $18,462)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at High Point University than James Madison University (89% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by High Point University students is 307.3% larger than aid received James Madison University ($18,149 vs. $4,456)

HPU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 21 points higher than at HPU (1113)
  • Incoming HPU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at HPU (3.4)
  • HPU has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than JMU (76.2%)

HPU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, HPU 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 HPU.

  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $18,300 more per year than HPU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $42,000)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $1,522 lower median federal student loan debt than HPU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $22,421)
  • JMU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than HPU graduates. ($216 vs. $231)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HPU 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/