Penn State New Kensington vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, 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 New Kensington based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State New Kensington is located in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 9:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Penn State New Kensington vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington ($18,856 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14.5% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($13,056 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington (about $7,470 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at James Madison University (94% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 55.1% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($12,114 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJames Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Penn State New Kensington vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($216 vs. $277).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington 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.