JMU vs. Washington and Lee

Should I go to James Madison University or Washington and Lee University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if JMU or Washington and Lee 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 Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU William & Mary Davidson University of Richmond Old Dominion Mary Washington College UD Elon
James Madison University vs. Washington and Lee University comparison
James Madison University Washington and Lee University College 3 College 4
James Madison University Washington and Lee University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

JMU Washington and Lee
Location Harrisonburg, VA Lexington, VA
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 22,224 2,243
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #30
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu wlu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU Washington and Lee
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $60,590
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $60,590
Room & Board $12,040 $16,920
Avg Net Price $18,274 $24,733
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $55,567
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 61%

Admission

JMU Washington and Lee
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 7,224
Admitted 24,062 1,225
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 17%
Enrolled % 20.2% 38.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.87
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 23/29 32/34
SAT Range 1140/1320 1410/1533
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 Washington and Lee
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • History (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

JMU Washington and Lee
Graduation Rate 81% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $89,000
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $222

Diversity

JMU Washington and Lee
% Men 42% 49%
% Women 58% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 82%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

JMU Washington and Lee
% In-State 73% 18%
% Out-of-State 26% 73%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 2,243 students)

JMU vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Washington and Lee?

  • Washington and Lee University is 688.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($60,590.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 144.9% higher at Washington and Lee than James Madison University ($60,590.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Washington and Lee ($18,274 vs. $24,733)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 40.5% lower than costs at Washington and Lee University ($12,040 vs. $16,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington and Lee University than James Madison University (61% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 451.2% larger than aid received James Madison University ($55,567 vs. $10,081)

JMU vs. Washington and Lee Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Washington and Lee University (1395) is 261 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Washington and Lee (17%)

JMU vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at Washington and Lee is higher than James Madison University (91% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn on average $28,700 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($89,000 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $601 lower median federal student loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates. ($20,899 vs. $21,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Washington and Lee graduates. ($216 vs. $222)
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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