JMU vs. UVA

Should I go to James Madison University or University of Virginia Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if JMU or UVA 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Mason William & Mary Virginia Tech VCU UNC Chapel Hill CNU Michigan University of Richmond Georgetown Washington and Lee Old Dominion Mary Washington College
James Madison University vs. University of Virginia Main Campus comparison
James Madison University University of Virginia Main Campus College 3 College 4
James Madison University University of Virginia Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 JMU UVA
Location Harrisonburg, VA Charlottesville, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 22,758 25,924
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #259 #63
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu virginia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 JMU UVA
Tuition (In State) $7,914 $17,490
Tuition (Out of State) $25,128 $53,836
Room & Board $12,584 $13,940
Avg Net Price $26,317 $17,831
Avg Grant Aid $4,456 $29,675
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 28%

Admission

 JMU UVA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 35,750 56,528
Admitted 27,258 9,533
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 16.9%
Enrolled % 18.1% 41.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.85
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 25/29 32/34
SAT Range 1170/1320 1410/1530
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, 2026

Academics

 JMU UVA
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 JMU UVA
Graduation Rate 81% 94%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $77,200
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $201

Diversity

 JMU UVA
% Men 2% 15%
% Women 5% 17%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 60%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

 JMU UVA
% In-State 73% 65%
% Out-of-State 26% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (25,924 students vs. 22,758 students)

JMU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or UVA?

  • University of Virginia Main Campus is 121% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($17,490.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 114.2% higher at UVA than James Madison University ($53,836.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Virginia Main Campus than JMU ($17,831 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.8% lower than costs at University of Virginia Main Campus ($12,584 vs. $13,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at James Madison University than University of Virginia Main Campus (81% vs. 28%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 566% larger than aid received James Madison University ($29,675 vs. $4,456)

JMU vs. UVA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Virginia Main Campus (1364) is 230 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming UVA students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than UVA (16.9%)

JMU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UVA is higher than James Madison University (94% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn on average $16,900 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($77,200 vs. $60,300)
  • University of Virginia Main Campus students graduate with a $1,399 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $20,899)
  • UVA graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($201 vs. $216)
  • More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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