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 Colorado State Old Dominion Mary Washington College UW William & Mary UD Elon| Montana State University | James Madison University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
MSU | JMU | ||
| Location | Bozeman, MT | Harrisonburg, VA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 16,960 | 22,758 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #658 | #259 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | montana.edu | jmu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
MSU | JMU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,056 | $7,914 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $29,047 | $25,128 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,446 | $12,584 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $18,511 | $26,317 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,967 | $4,456 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 85% | 81% |
Admission |
MSU | JMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 21,975 | 35,750 | ||
| Admitted | 19,081 | 27,258 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.8% | 76.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 19% | 18.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.5 | 3.57 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 25/29 | ||
| SAT Range | 1060/1270 | 1170/1320 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
MSU | JMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
MSU | JMU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 51% | 81% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $45,800 | $60,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 83% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,000 | $20,899 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $248 | $216 |
Diversity |
MSU | JMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 7% | 5% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 86% | 76% | ||
| % Black | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
MSU | JMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 36% | 73% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 64% | 26% | ||
Campus |
MSU | JMU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- James Madison University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 16,960 students)
MSU vs. JMU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, MSU or JMU?
- James Madison University is 30.7% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $6,056.00)
- Out of state tuition is 15.6% higher at MSU than James Madison University ($29,047.00 vs. $25,128.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than JMU ($18,511 vs. $26,317)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 6.8% lower than costs at Montana State University ($12,584 vs. $13,446)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than James Madison University (85% vs. 81%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 123.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($9,967 vs. $4,456)
MSU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, MSU or JMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between JMU or MSU .
- The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 3 points higher than at MSU (1131)
- Incoming MSU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
- Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at MSU (3.5)
- MSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than JMU (76.2%)
MSU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, MSU or JMU? 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 JMU and MSU.
- The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Montana State University (81% vs. 51%)
- Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,500 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,800)
- James Madison University students graduate with a $3,101 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $24,000)
- JMU graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($216 vs. $248)
- More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/