PC vs. JMU

Should I go to Presbyterian College or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PC or JMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Presbyterian College vs. James Madison University comparison
Presbyterian College James Madison University College 3 College 4
Presbyterian College James Madison University
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Overview

PC JMU
Location Clinton, SC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,199 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #333 #260
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website presby.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PC JMU
Tuition (In State) $38,990 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $38,990 $24,744
Room & Board $11,300 $12,040
Avg Net Price $21,571 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $34,379 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

PC JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,329 30,727
Admitted 1,977 24,062
Acceptance Rate 59.4% 78.3%
Enrolled % 13.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 23/29
SAT Range 1020/1270 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Sep 21, 2024 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

PC JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • History (16%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

PC JMU
Graduation Rate 68% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,700 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,108 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $269 $216

Diversity

PC JMU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 76%
% Black 14% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

PC JMU
% In-State 51% 73%
% Out-of-State 46% 26%

Campus

PC JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than PC based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,199 students)

PC vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC or JMU?

  • Presbyterian College is 407.4% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($38,990.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.6% higher at PC than James Madison University ($38,990.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than PC ($18,274 vs. $21,571)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Presbyterian College are 6.5% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,300 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Presbyterian College than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 241% larger than aid received James Madison University ($34,379 vs. $10,081)

PC vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC or JMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between JMU or PC .

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 52 points higher than at PC (1082)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at PC (24)
  • Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than PC (59.4%)

PC vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PC or JMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between JMU and PC.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Presbyterian College (81% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $12,600 more per year than PC graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $47,700)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $5,209 lower median federal student loan debt than PC graduates. ($20,899 vs. $26,108)
  • JMU graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than PC graduates. ($216 vs. $269)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/