Pace University vs. JMU

Deciding between Pace University and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Pace University
James Madison University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Pace University New York, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Pace University Large City
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pace University 13,634
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Pace University Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Pace University #357
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Pace University -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Pace University Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Pace University
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Pace University $53,290
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Pace University $53,290
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Pace University $22,553
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Pace University $34,791
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Pace University $35,136
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Pace University 99%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Pace University 30,030
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Pace University 22,798
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Pace University 75.9%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Pace University 8.1%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pace University 1260
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pace University 26
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Pace University 3.4
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Pace University B+
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Pace University Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Pace University
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Pace University 24/29
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Pace University 1180/1340
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Pace University Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Pace University Feb 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Pace University 14:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Pace University
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Pace University 53%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Pace University $63,100
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Pace University 65%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Pace University $25,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Pace University $258
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Pace University 37%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Pace University 63%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Pace University High
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Pace University No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Pace University 50%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Pace University 8%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Pace University 10%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Pace University 14%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Pace University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Pace University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Pace University 4%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Pace University 9%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Pace University 3%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Pace University 46%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Pace University 48%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Pace University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Pace University No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Pace University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Pace University Yes
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Pace University No
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Pace University in New York, NY 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 Pace University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 13,634 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pace University is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Pace University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pace University 14:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Pace University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pace 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 Pace University ($18,856 vs. $34,791).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 42.1% lower than at Pace University ($13,056 vs. $22,553).
  • Pace University is 274% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $39,040 more per year; $53,290.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at Pace University than at James Madison University (about $21,686 more per year; $53,290.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pace University than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pace University students is 190% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($35,136 vs. $12,114).

Pace University vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pace 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 Pace University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pace University (1260) is the same as at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Pace University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pace University 1180/1340; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pace University 24/29; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pace University - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pace University Feb 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Pace University (3.4).
  • Pace University has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Pace University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Pace University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pace 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 Pace University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Pace University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than JMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,100 vs. $60,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $4,101 lower median loan debt than Pace University graduates ($20,899 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pace University graduates ($216 vs. $258).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pace University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.