JMU vs. RU

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

JMU RU
Location Harrisonburg, VA Radford, VA
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 22,224 7,718
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU RU
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $8,156
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $20,246
Room & Board $12,040 $10,567
Avg Net Price $18,274 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $9,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 96%

Admission

JMU RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 11,442
Admitted 24,062 10,680
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 93.3%
Enrolled % 20.2% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 19/23
SAT Range 1140/1320 960/1160
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

JMU RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

JMU RU
Graduation Rate 81% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $216 $237

Diversity

JMU RU
% Men 42% 33%
% Women 58% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 71%
% Black 4% 13%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

JMU RU
% In-State 73% 89%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than RU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 7,718 students)

JMU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or RU?

  • Radford University is 6.1% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($8,156.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.2% higher at JMU than Radford University ($24,744.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than JMU ($17,105 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 13.9% lower than costs at James Madison University ($10,567 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than James Madison University (96% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 3.6% larger than aid received Radford University ($10,081 vs. $9,733)

JMU vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at RU (3.31)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than JMU (78.3%)

JMU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Radford University (81% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $12,900 more per year than RU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $47,400)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,101 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($216 vs. $237)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 70%)

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