JMU vs. Old Dominion

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

JMU Old Dominion
Location Harrisonburg, VA Norfolk, VA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 22,758 22,541
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #259 #558
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu odu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU Old Dominion
Tuition (In State) $7,914 $7,590
Tuition (Out of State) $25,128 $27,465
Room & Board $12,584 $14,592
Avg Net Price $26,317 $16,150
Avg Grant Aid $4,456 $10,006
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 94%

Admission

JMU Old Dominion
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 35,750 15,216
Admitted 27,258 13,773
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 90.5%
Enrolled % 18.1% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/29 22/27
SAT Range 1170/1320 1110/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

JMU Old Dominion
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)

Outcomes

JMU Old Dominion
Graduation Rate 81% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $242

Diversity

JMU Old Dominion
% Men 2% 8%
% Women 5% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 47%
% Black 4% 27%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 6%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

JMU Old Dominion
% In-State 73% 89%
% Out-of-State 26% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 22,541 students)

JMU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Old Dominion?

  • James Madison University is 4.3% more expensive to attend than Old Dominion for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $7,590.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.3% higher at Old Dominion than James Madison University ($27,465.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Old Dominion University than JMU ($16,150 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 16% lower than costs at Old Dominion University ($12,584 vs. $14,592)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Old Dominion University than James Madison University (94% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 124.6% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,006 vs. $4,456)

JMU vs. Old Dominion Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 114 points higher than at Old Dominion (1020)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Old Dominion (21)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Old Dominion (3.3)
  • Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than JMU (76.2%)

JMU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Old Dominion University (81% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $12,700 more per year than Old Dominion graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $47,600)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Old Dominion graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Old Dominion graduates. ($216 vs. $242)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 53%)

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