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 Marshall University UVA CNU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU| James Madison University | West Virginia University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
JMU | WVU | ||
| Location | Harrisonburg, VA | Morgantown, WV | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 22,758 | 24,200 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #259 | #534 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | jmu.edu | wvu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
JMU | WVU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,914 | $9,648 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $25,128 | $27,360 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,584 | $13,876 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $26,317 | $13,691 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,456 | $11,893 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 81% | 93% |
Admission |
JMU | WVU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 35,750 | 19,857 | ||
| Admitted | 27,258 | 17,129 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.2% | 86.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.1% | 25.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.45 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 25/29 | 20/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1170/1320 | 1010/1240 | ||
| 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 | WVU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
JMU | WVU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 81% | 57% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $60,300 | $50,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 83% | 59% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,899 | $24,001 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $216 | $248 |
Diversity |
JMU | WVU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 2% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 5% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 81% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 0% |
Students |
JMU | WVU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 73% | 43% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 26% | 56% | ||
Campus |
JMU | WVU | ||
| 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
- West Virginia University is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (24,200 students vs. 22,758 students)
JMU vs. WVU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, JMU or WVU?
- West Virginia University is 21.9% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($9,648.00 vs. $7,914.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.9% higher at WVU than James Madison University ($27,360.00 vs. $25,128.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than JMU ($13,691 vs. $26,317)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.3% lower than costs at West Virginia University ($12,584 vs. $13,876)
- More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University than James Madison University (93% vs. 81%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 166.9% larger than aid received James Madison University ($11,893 vs. $4,456)
JMU vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, JMU or WVU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WVU or JMU .
- The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 56 points higher than at WVU (1078)
- Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WVU (24)
- Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WVU (3.45)
- WVU has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than JMU (76.2%)
JMU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, JMU or WVU? 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 WVU and JMU.
- The graduation rate at JMU is higher than West Virginia University (81% vs. 57%)
- Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $9,700 more per year than WVU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $50,600)
- James Madison University students graduate with a $3,102 lower median federal student loan debt than WVU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $24,001)
- JMU graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than WVU graduates. ($216 vs. $248)
- More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 59%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/