Rowan University vs. JMU

Deciding between Rowan University and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rowan University
James Madison University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rowan University #270
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rowan University -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rowan University
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rowan University 93%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Rowan University 23%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rowan University 1210
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rowan University 26
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rowan University B+
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rowan University
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rowan University Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rowan University
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rowan University 68%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rowan University 67%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rowan University $206
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rowan University 49%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Rowan University 51%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rowan University Medium
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Rowan University No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Rowan University 69%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Rowan University 4%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Rowan University 10%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rowan University 10%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Rowan University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rowan University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rowan University 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Rowan University 1%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rowan University 3%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rowan University 89%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rowan University 7%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rowan University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rowan University No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rowan University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rowan University No
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rowan University Yes
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Rowan University in Glassboro, 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 Rowan University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 21,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rowan University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan University 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 Rowan University ($18,856 vs. $23,761).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.9% lower than at Rowan University ($13,056 vs. $16,928).
  • Rowan University is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $2,324 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at JMU than at Rowan University (about $4,672 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $26,932.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at James Madison University (93% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rowan University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,419 vs. $12,114).

Rowan University vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rowan University 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 Rowan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Rowan University (1210).
  • Incoming Rowan University 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: Rowan University 1110/1310; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
  • Rowan University has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Rowan University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rowan University 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 Rowan University's (68%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $899 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($206 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 67%)

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.