JMU vs. University of Richmond

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

JMU University of Richmond
Location Harrisonburg, VA University of Richmond, VA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 22,224 3,876
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #42
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu richmond.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU University of Richmond
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $60,330
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $60,330
Room & Board $12,040 $14,870
Avg Net Price $18,274 $29,248
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $46,385
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 57%

Admission

JMU University of Richmond
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 14,364
Admitted 24,062 3,501
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 24.4%
Enrolled % 20.2% 24.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 23/29 32/34
SAT Range 1140/1320 1398/1530
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 Jan 1, 2025

Academics

JMU University of Richmond
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Foreign Languages (5%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

JMU University of Richmond
Graduation Rate 81% 83%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $73,900
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $21,148
Median Loan Payment $216 $218

Diversity

JMU University of Richmond
% Men 42% 45%
% Women 58% 55%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 59%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 8%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

JMU University of Richmond
% In-State 73% 15%
% Out-of-State 26% 75%

Campus

JMU University of Richmond
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 University of Richmond based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 3,876 students)

JMU vs. University of Richmond Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or University of Richmond?

  • University of Richmond is 685.1% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($60,330.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 143.8% higher at University of Richmond than James Madison University ($60,330.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than University of Richmond ($18,274 vs. $29,248)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 23.5% lower than costs at University of Richmond ($12,040 vs. $14,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Richmond than James Madison University (57% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Richmond students is 360.1% larger than aid received James Madison University ($46,385 vs. $10,081)

JMU vs. University of Richmond Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Richmond (1337) is 203 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming University of Richmond students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman University of Richmond students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than University of Richmond (24.4%)

JMU vs. University of Richmond Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Richmond is higher than James Madison University (83% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from University of Richmond earn on average $13,600 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($73,900 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $249 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Richmond graduates. ($20,899 vs. $21,148)
  • JMU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than University of Richmond graduates. ($216 vs. $218)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

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