Penn State Beaver vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Beaver in Monaca, 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 Beaver based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Beaver is located in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver 12:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Penn State Beaver vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver than JMU ($18,581 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9.8% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($13,056 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Beaver is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $158 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31% higher at JMU than at Penn State Beaver (about $7,470 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Beaver than at James Madison University (88% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($12,114 vs. $9,045).

Penn State Beaver vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 1080/1290; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 24/27; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Beaver - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Penn State Beaver vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Penn State Beaver vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($216 vs. $277).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver 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.