Niagara University vs. JMU

Should I go to Niagara University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Niagara 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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Niagara University vs. James Madison University comparison
Niagara University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Niagara University James Madison University
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Overview

 Niagara University JMU
Location Niagara University, NY Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 3,858 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #487 #260
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niagara.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Niagara University JMU
Tuition (In State) $35,400 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $35,400 $24,744
Room & Board $12,700 $12,040
Avg Net Price $18,165 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $29,898 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

 Niagara University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,836 30,727
Admitted 3,435 24,062
Acceptance Rate 89.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 15.9% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/28 23/29
SAT Range 1030/1240 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 Aug 30, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Niagara University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (35%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Niagara University JMU
Graduation Rate 65% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,100 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $258 $216

Diversity

 Niagara University JMU
% Men 35% 42%
% Women 65% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 13% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

 Niagara University JMU
% In-State 81% 73%
% Out-of-State 10% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Niagara University based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 3,858 students)

Niagara University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Niagara University or JMU?

  • Niagara University is 360.7% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($35,400.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.1% higher at Niagara University than James Madison University ($35,400.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Niagara University than JMU ($18,165 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 5.5% lower than costs at Niagara University ($12,040 vs. $12,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Niagara University than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Niagara University students is 196.6% larger than aid received James Madison University ($29,898 vs. $10,081)

Niagara University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 97 points higher than at Niagara University (1037)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Niagara University (23)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Niagara University (3.53)
  • Niagara University has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than JMU (78.3%)

Niagara University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Niagara 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 Niagara University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Niagara University (81% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $17,200 more per year than Niagara University graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $43,100)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Niagara University graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Niagara University graduates. ($216 vs. $258)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Niagara University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

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