ONU vs. JMU

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

Overview

 ONU JMU
Location Ada, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 3,042 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #231 #259
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website onu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ONU JMU
Tuition (In State) $36,500 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $36,500 $25,128
Room & Board $13,200 $12,584
Avg Net Price $26,396 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $26,120 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 81%

Admission

 ONU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,537 35,750
Admitted 3,328 27,258
Acceptance Rate 73.4% 76.2%
Enrolled % 17.6% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.78 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/29 25/29
SAT Range 1173/1376 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 Aug 15, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 ONU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 ONU JMU
Graduation Rate 65% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $71,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

 ONU JMU
% Men 6% 2%
% Women 9% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

 ONU JMU
% In-State 83% 73%
% Out-of-State 16% 26%

Campus

 ONU 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 ONU based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 3,042 students)

ONU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ONU or JMU?

  • Ohio Northern University is 361.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($36,500.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.3% higher at ONU than James Madison University ($36,500.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than ONU ($26,317 vs. $26,396)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 4.9% lower than costs at Ohio Northern University ($12,584 vs. $13,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio Northern University than James Madison University (96% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 486.2% larger than aid received James Madison University ($26,120 vs. $4,456)

ONU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ohio Northern University (1158) is 24 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming ONU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than ONU (73.4%)

ONU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ONU 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 ONU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Ohio Northern University (81% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn on average $10,900 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($71,200 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than ONU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than ONU graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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