JMU vs. Virginia Tech

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

JMU Virginia Tech
Location Harrisonburg, VA Blacksburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 22,224 38,170
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #142
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu vt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU Virginia Tech
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $12,104
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $31,754
Room & Board $12,040 $12,680
Avg Net Price $18,274 $19,301
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $7,649
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 57%

Admission

JMU Virginia Tech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 45,321
Admitted 24,062 25,825
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 57%
Enrolled % 20.2% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.97
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 27/32
SAT Range 1140/1320 1240/1430
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 15, 2025

Academics

JMU Virginia Tech
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 (20%)
  • Engineering (19%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)

Outcomes

JMU Virginia Tech
Graduation Rate 81% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $65,000
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $23,966
Median Loan Payment $216 $247

Diversity

JMU Virginia Tech
% Men 42% 57%
% Women 58% 43%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

JMU Virginia Tech
% In-State 73% 64%
% Out-of-State 26% 32%

Campus

JMU Virginia Tech
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

  • Virginia Tech is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (38,170 students vs. 22,224 students)

JMU vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Virginia Tech?

  • Virginia Tech is 57.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($12,104.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.3% higher at Virginia Tech than James Madison University ($31,754.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Virginia Tech ($18,274 vs. $19,301)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 5.3% lower than costs at Virginia Tech ($12,040 vs. $12,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Tech than James Madison University (57% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 31.8% larger than aid received Virginia Tech ($10,081 vs. $7,649)

JMU vs. Virginia Tech Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Tech (1210) is 76 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Virginia Tech (57%)

JMU vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at Virginia Tech is higher than James Madison University (82% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Tech earn on average $4,700 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($65,000 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $3,067 lower median federal student loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,966)
  • JMU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Virginia Tech graduates. ($216 vs. $247)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 81%)

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