Mount St. Mary's University vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD 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 Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University ($18,856 vs. $23,027).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 13.2% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($13,056 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 241.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $34,380 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.9% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at James Madison University (about $17,026 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 235.3% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($40,619 vs. $12,114).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 100 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Mount St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (73.8%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University's (76%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Mount St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($216 vs. $268).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.