JMU vs. SVU

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

JMU SVU
Location Harrisonburg, VA Buena Vista, VA
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 22,224 1,053
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #984
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu svu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU SVU
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $18,858
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $18,858
Room & Board $12,040 $9,150
Avg Net Price $18,274 $23,274
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $8,188
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 99%

Admission

JMU SVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 1,090
Admitted 24,062 1,084
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 99.4%
Enrolled % 20.2% 35.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 18/24
SAT Range 1140/1320 900/1250
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 SVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)

Outcomes

JMU SVU
Graduation Rate 81% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $23,654
Median Loan Payment $216 $244

Diversity

JMU SVU
% Men 42% 53%
% Women 58% 47%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 80%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

JMU SVU
% In-State 73% 12%
% Out-of-State 26% 73%

Campus

JMU SVU
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 SVU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,053 students)

JMU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or SVU?

  • Southern Virginia University is 145.4% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($18,858.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.2% higher at JMU than Southern Virginia University ($24,744.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than SVU ($18,274 vs. $23,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 31.6% lower than costs at James Madison University ($9,150 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Virginia University than James Madison University (99% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 23.1% larger than aid received Southern Virginia University ($10,081 vs. $8,188)

JMU vs. SVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 93 points higher than at SVU (1041)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SVU (23)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at SVU (3.19)
  • SVU has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than JMU (78.3%)

JMU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Southern Virginia University (81% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $19,700 more per year than SVU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $40,600)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,755 lower median federal student loan debt than SVU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,654)
  • JMU graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than SVU graduates. ($216 vs. $244)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU 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/