Hobart William Smith Colleges vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,841 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hobart William Smith Colleges is located in Geneva, NY (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hobart William Smith Colleges 11:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Hobart William Smith Colleges vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hobart William Smith Colleges 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges ($18,856 vs. $34,170).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 26.5% lower than at Hobart William Smith Colleges ($13,056 vs. $17,768).
• Hobart William Smith Colleges is 357% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $50,867 more per year; $65,117.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106% higher at Hobart William Smith Colleges than at James Madison University (about $33,513 more per year; $65,117.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hobart William Smith Colleges students is 299.8% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($48,432 vs. $12,114).

Hobart William Smith Colleges vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hobart William Smith Colleges 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hobart William Smith Colleges (1290) is 30 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming Hobart William Smith Colleges students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hobart William Smith Colleges 1190/1385; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hobart William Smith Colleges 28/32; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hobart William Smith Colleges - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hobart William Smith Colleges Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Hobart William Smith Colleges (3.55).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Hobart William Smith Colleges (64%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Hobart William Smith Colleges vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Hobart William Smith Colleges vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hobart William Smith Colleges 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges's (75%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $60,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.