JMU vs. Milligan

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

 JMU Milligan
Location Harrisonburg, VA Milligan, TN
Setting Small City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 22,758 1,200
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #259
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu milligan.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 JMU Milligan
Tuition (In State) $7,914 $37,700
Tuition (Out of State) $25,128 $37,700
Room & Board $12,584 $8,000
Avg Net Price $26,317 $21,463
Avg Grant Aid $4,456 $28,521
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 100%

Admission

 JMU Milligan
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 35,750 1,164
Admitted 27,258 818
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 70.3%
Enrolled % 18.1% 29.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/29 21/27
SAT Range 1170/1320 1120/1290
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, 2026 Aug 28, 2026

Academics

 JMU Milligan
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 JMU Milligan
Graduation Rate 81% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $263

Diversity

 JMU Milligan
% Men 2% 12%
% Women 5% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 82%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 JMU Milligan
% In-State 73% 50%
% Out-of-State 26% 47%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Milligan based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 1,200 students)

JMU vs. Milligan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Milligan?

  • Milligan University is 376.4% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($37,700.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50% higher at Milligan than James Madison University ($37,700.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Milligan University than JMU ($21,463 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milligan University are 57.3% lower than costs at James Madison University ($8,000 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milligan University than James Madison University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milligan University students is 540.1% larger than aid received James Madison University ($28,521 vs. $4,456)

JMU vs. Milligan Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 6 points higher than at Milligan (1128)
  • Incoming JMU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Milligan (25)
  • Accepted freshman Milligan students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Milligan (70.3%)

JMU vs. Milligan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or Milligan? 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 Milligan and JMU.

  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Milligan graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Milligan graduates. ($216 vs. $263)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Milligan students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/