LVC vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than LVC based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lebanon Valley College is located in Annville, PA (Small Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Lebanon Valley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lebanon Valley College 11:1; James Madison University 17:1.

LVC vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LVC or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than LVC ($18,856 vs. $27,995).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 21.2% lower than at Lebanon Valley College ($13,056 vs. $16,576).
• Lebanon Valley College is 265.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $37,830 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.8% higher at LVC than at James Madison University (about $20,476 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lebanon Valley College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lebanon Valley College students is 219.1% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($38,653 vs. $12,114).

LVC vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LVC or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and LVC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 40 points higher than at LVC (1220).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lebanon Valley College 1140/1302; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJames Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LVC - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LVC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at JMU (3.57).
• LVC has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at LVC vs. 18.2% at JMU.

LVC vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LVC and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Lebanon Valley College's (73%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than LVC graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than LVC graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LVC graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More LVC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.