JMU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: James Madison University 17:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

JMU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than JMU ($14,378 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia's College at Wise are 1.8% lower than at James Madison University ($12,816 vs. $13,056).
• James Madison University is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $2,470 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at JMU than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $3,594 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 1.2% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,262 vs. $12,114).

JMU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JMU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and JMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 230 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming JMU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 1170/1340; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 24/29; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JMU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027; UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.57) as students at UVa-Wise (3.57).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at JMU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

JMU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JMU and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $72 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,827 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($215 vs. $216).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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.