Penn State Abington vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Abington in Abington, PA 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 Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Abington is located in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Abington 14:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Penn State Abington vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Abington 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 Penn State Abington ($18,856 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9.8% lower than at Penn State Abington ($13,056 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Abington is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $1,018 more per year; $15,268.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at JMU than at Penn State Abington (about $5,940 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Abington than at James Madison University (80% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($12,114 vs. $9,883).

Penn State Abington vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Abington 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 Penn State Abington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Abington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Abington 1070/1265; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Abington 23/27; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Abington - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Penn State Abington (3.42).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Abington vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Penn State Abington vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Abington 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 Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Penn State Abington graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,919 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($216 vs. $277).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Abington students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

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.