Morehead State University vs. JMU

Should I go to Morehead State University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Morehead State University or JMU 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.

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Morehead State University vs. James Madison University comparison
Morehead State University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Morehead State University James Madison University
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Overview

Morehead State University JMU
Location Morehead, KY Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 8,618 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website moreheadstate.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Morehead State University JMU
Tuition (In State) $9,518 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $14,386 $25,128
Room & Board $8,942 $12,584
Avg Net Price $10,017 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $12,802 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 81%

Admission

Morehead State University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,818 35,750
Admitted 7,241 27,258
Acceptance Rate 82.1% 76.2%
Enrolled % 16.9% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/29
SAT Range 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

Morehead State University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Morehead State University JMU
Graduation Rate 40% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,400 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $258 $216

Diversity

Morehead State University JMU
% Men 3% 2%
% Women 4% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 89% 76%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Morehead State University JMU
% In-State 83% 73%
% Out-of-State 14% 26%

Campus

Morehead State University JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Morehead State University based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 8,618 students)

Morehead State University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Morehead State University or JMU?

  • Morehead State University is 20.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($9,518.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.7% higher at JMU than Morehead State University ($25,128.00 vs. $14,386.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Morehead State University than JMU ($10,017 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 40.7% lower than costs at James Madison University ($8,942 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Morehead State University than James Madison University (98% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 187.3% larger than aid received James Madison University ($12,802 vs. $4,456)

Morehead State University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 87 points higher than at Morehead State University (1047)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Morehead State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Morehead State University (3.52)
  • Morehead State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than JMU (76.2%)

Morehead State University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Morehead State University 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 Morehead State University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Morehead State University (81% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $25,900 more per year than Morehead State University graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $34,400)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Morehead State University graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Morehead State University graduates. ($216 vs. $258)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Morehead State University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 44%)

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