ISU vs. JMU

Should I go to Iowa State University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Iowa Mason Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU Michigan State Purdue Old Dominion Nebraska Mary Washington College UIC
Iowa State University vs. James Madison University comparison
Iowa State University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Iowa State University James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 ISU JMU
Location Ames, IA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 29,969 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #352 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ISU JMU
Tuition (In State) $8,678 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $25,162 $24,744
Room & Board $9,358 $12,040
Avg Net Price $15,310 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $11,043 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 80% 33%

Admission

 ISU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,919 30,727
Admitted 19,776 24,062
Acceptance Rate 90.2% 78.3%
Enrolled % 29% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 23/29
SAT Range 1090/1350 1140/1320
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 ISU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 ISU JMU
Graduation Rate 68% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $246 $216

Diversity

 ISU JMU
% Men 55% 42%
% Women 45% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

 ISU JMU
% In-State 52% 73%
% Out-of-State 45% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 22,224 students)

ISU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or JMU?

  • Iowa State University is 12.9% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($8,678.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at ISU than James Madison University ($25,162.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than JMU ($15,310 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 28.7% lower than costs at James Madison University ($9,358 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Iowa State University than James Madison University (80% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 9.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($11,043 vs. $10,081)

ISU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 8 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming ISU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than JMU (78.3%)

ISU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU 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 ISU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Iowa State University (81% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $6,600 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $53,700)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,969 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,868)
  • JMU graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($216 vs. $246)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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/