Muhlenberg College vs. JMU

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

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 Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU Penn State
Muhlenberg College vs. James Madison University comparison
Muhlenberg College James Madison University College 3 College 4
Muhlenberg College James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Muhlenberg College JMU
Location Allentown, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 1,959 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #88 #260
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website muhlenberg.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Muhlenberg College JMU
Tuition (In State) $57,270 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $57,270 $24,744
Room & Board $13,440 $12,040
Avg Net Price $32,926 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $38,412 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 33%

Admission

Muhlenberg College JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,329 30,727
Admitted 2,836 24,062
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 14.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/33 23/29
SAT Range 1200/1400 1140/1320
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 Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Muhlenberg College JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Muhlenberg College JMU
Graduation Rate 86% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,700 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,490 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $273 $216

Diversity

Muhlenberg College JMU
% Men 39% 42%
% Women 61% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 8% 3%

Students

Muhlenberg College JMU
% In-State 31% 73%
% Out-of-State 68% 26%

Campus

Muhlenberg College 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 Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,959 students)

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or JMU?

  • Muhlenberg College is 645.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($57,270.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 131.5% higher at Muhlenberg College than James Madison University ($57,270.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Muhlenberg College ($18,274 vs. $32,926)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 11.6% lower than costs at Muhlenberg College ($12,040 vs. $13,440)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Muhlenberg College than James Madison University (98% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 281% larger than aid received James Madison University ($38,412 vs. $10,081)

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Muhlenberg College (65.5%)

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Muhlenberg College 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 Muhlenberg College.

  • The graduation rate at Muhlenberg College is higher than James Madison University (86% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn on average $3,400 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($63,700 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $5,591 lower median federal student loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates. ($20,899 vs. $26,490)
  • JMU graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Muhlenberg College graduates. ($216 vs. $273)
  • More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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