JMU vs. VWC

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

 JMU VWC
Location Harrisonburg, VA Norfolk, VA
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 22,758 1,711
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #259 #679
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu vwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 JMU VWC
Tuition (In State) $7,914 $36,010
Tuition (Out of State) $25,128 $36,010
Room & Board $12,584 $11,513
Avg Net Price $26,317 $21,862
Avg Grant Aid $4,456 $29,360
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 100%

Admission

 JMU VWC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 35,750 2,651
Admitted 27,258 1,890
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 71.3%
Enrolled % 18.1% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/29 28/29
SAT Range 1170/1320 1140/1350
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 VWC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

 JMU VWC
Graduation Rate 81% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $216 $279

Diversity

 JMU VWC
% Men 2% 2%
% Women 5% 3%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 54%
% Black 4% 24%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

 JMU VWC
% In-State 73% 73%
% Out-of-State 26% 26%

Campus

 JMU VWC
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 VWC based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 1,711 students)

JMU vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or VWC?

  • Virginia Wesleyan College is 355% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($36,010.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.3% higher at VWC than James Madison University ($36,010.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Wesleyan College than JMU ($21,862 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan College are 9.3% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,513 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan College than James Madison University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan College students is 558.9% larger than aid received James Madison University ($29,360 vs. $4,456)

JMU vs. VWC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 152 points higher than at VWC (982)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at VWC (22)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at VWC (3.39)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than VWC (71.3%)

JMU vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Virginia Wesleyan College (81% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $18,600 more per year than VWC graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $41,700)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than VWC graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than VWC graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC 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/