JMU vs. SU

Deciding between James Madison University and Shenandoah University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

James Madison University
Shenandoah University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • SU Winchester, VA
  • Setting
  • JMU Small City
  • SU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • JMU 22,740
  • SU 4,454
  • Type
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • JMU #246
  • SU #528
  • Religious Affiliation
  • JMU -
  • SU United Methodist
  • Status
  • JMU Non-profit
  • SU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • JMU
  • SU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • JMU $14,250
  • SU $36,950
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • JMU $31,604
  • SU $36,950
  • Room & Board
  • JMU $13,056
  • SU $12,490
  • Average Net Price
  • JMU $18,856
  • SU $27,181
  • Average Grant Aid
  • JMU $12,114
  • SU $24,747
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • JMU 33%
  • SU 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • JMU 38,428
  • SU 4,200
  • Admitted
  • JMU 27,482
  • SU 3,232
  • Acceptance Rate
  • JMU 71.5%
  • SU 77%
  • Enrolled
  • JMU 18.2%
  • SU 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JMU 1260
  • SU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • JMU 26
  • SU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • JMU 3.57
  • SU 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • JMU A-
  • SU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • JMU Difficult
  • SU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • JMU Low
  • SU
  • ACT Range
  • JMU 24/29
  • SU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • SU 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • JMU Test optional
  • SU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • SU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • JMU 17:1
  • SU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • SU
    • Health Professions (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Biology (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • JMU 81%
  • SU 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • JMU $60,300
  • SU $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • JMU 83%
  • SU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • JMU $20,899
  • SU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • JMU $216
  • SU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • JMU 43%
  • SU 30%
  • % Women
  • JMU 57%
  • SU 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • JMU Low
  • SU Medium
  • HBCU
  • JMU No
  • SU No
  • % White
  • JMU 76%
  • SU 59%
  • % Asian
  • JMU 4%
  • SU 3%
  • % Black
  • JMU 4%
  • SU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • JMU 6%
  • SU 6%
  • % Native American
  • JMU 0%
  • SU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • JMU 0%
  • SU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • JMU 4%
  • SU 4%
  • % International
  • JMU 2%
  • SU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • JMU 3%
  • SU 13%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • JMU 69%
  • SU 61%
  • % Out-of-State
  • JMU 30%
  • SU 38%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • JMU Yes
  • SU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • JMU No
  • SU No
  • Meal Plan
  • JMU Yes
  • SU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • JMU No
  • SU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • JMU No
  • SU No

Comparable Facts

Compare James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
  • James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: James Madison University 17:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

JMU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or SU? 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 SU ($18,856 vs. $27,181).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 4.3% lower than at James Madison University ($12,490 vs. $13,056).
  • Shenandoah University is 159.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $22,700 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at SU than at James Madison University (about $5,346 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 104.3% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($24,747 vs. $12,114).

JMU vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JMU or SU? 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 SU and JMU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 140 points higher than at SU (1120).
  • Incoming JMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at SU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 1170/1340; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 24/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JMU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at JMU vs. 16.7% at SU.

JMU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JMU and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $4,101 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($20,899 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($216 vs. $258).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 60%)

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.