Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 5,981 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ramapo College of New Jersey is located in Mahwah, NJ (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ramapo College of New Jersey 17:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ramapo College of New Jersey 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey than JMU ($17,566 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 23.7% lower than at Ramapo College of New Jersey ($13,056 vs. $17,102).
• Ramapo College of New Jersey is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $2,527 more per year; $16,777.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at JMU than at Ramapo College of New Jersey (about $3,896 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $27,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ramapo College of New Jersey than at James Madison University (70% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ramapo College of New Jersey students is 3.8% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,580 vs. $12,114).

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ramapo College of New Jersey 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Ramapo College of New Jersey (1220).
• Incoming Ramapo College of New Jersey students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ramapo College of New Jersey 1130/1300; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ramapo College of New Jersey 22/30; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ramapo College of New Jersey - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ramapo College of New Jersey Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Ramapo College of New Jersey (3.47).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Ramapo College of New Jersey (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ramapo College of New Jersey 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey's (71%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $1,947 lower median loan debt than Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates ($20,899 vs. $22,846).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates ($216 vs. $236).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ramapo College of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 71%)

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.