Marist University vs. JMU

Deciding between Marist University and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Marist University
James Madison University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Marist University Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Marist University 6,356
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Marist University Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Marist University #178
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Marist University -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Marist University Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Marist University
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Marist University $47,750
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Marist University $47,750
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Marist University $18,460
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Marist University $42,508
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Marist University $25,067
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Marist University 96%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Marist University 11,274
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Marist University 6,371
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Marist University 56.5%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Marist University 19.9%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Marist University 1270
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Marist University 28
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Marist University 3.56
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Marist University A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Marist University Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Marist University Low
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Marist University 25/31
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Marist University 1190/1340
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Marist University Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Marist University Feb 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Marist University 15:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Marist University
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Marist University 80%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Marist University $59,000
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Marist University 80%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Marist University $26,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Marist University $268
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Marist University 41%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Marist University 59%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Marist University Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Marist University No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Marist University 78%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Marist University 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Marist University 4%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Marist University 9%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Marist University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Marist University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Marist University 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Marist University 2%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Marist University 2%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Marist University 45%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Marist University 52%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Marist University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Marist University No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Marist University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Marist University Yes
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Marist University No
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Marist University in Poughkeepsie, NY 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 Marist University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 6,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Marist University is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Marist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Marist University 15:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Marist University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marist University 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 Marist University ($18,856 vs. $42,508).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 29.3% lower than at Marist University ($13,056 vs. $18,460).
  • Marist University is 235.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $33,500 more per year; $47,750.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.1% higher at Marist University than at James Madison University (about $16,146 more per year; $47,750.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marist University than at James Madison University (96% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marist University students is 106.9% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($25,067 vs. $12,114).

Marist University vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marist University 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 Marist University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marist University (1270) is 10 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Marist University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marist University 1190/1340; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marist University 25/31; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marist University - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marist University Feb 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Marist University (3.56).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Marist University (56.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Marist University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Marist University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marist University 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 Marist University's (80%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Marist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Marist University graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marist University graduates ($216 vs. $268).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marist University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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.