Penn State Altoona vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, 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 Altoona based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Altoona 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 Altoona 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona 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 Altoona ($18,856 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9.8% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,056 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $1,722 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at JMU than at Penn State Altoona (about $4,646 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at James Madison University (78% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,114 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Penn State Altoona vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona 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 Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Penn State Altoona 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 Altoona graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($216 vs. $277).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona 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.