State University of New York at New Paltz vs. JMU

Deciding between State University of New York at New Paltz 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.

State University of New York at New Paltz
James Madison University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Town Fringe
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 7,898
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • State University of New York at New Paltz #288
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • State University of New York at New Paltz -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $8,572
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,822
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $16,684
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,051
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $10,087
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 71%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17,232
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10,616
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 61.6%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10.7%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1260
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 27
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 3.6
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • State University of New York at New Paltz A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Low
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 69%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $47,400
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 72%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $19,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $196
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 36%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 64%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Medium
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 63%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 4%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 93%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • JMU No
  • Learn More
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Details
  • JMU Details

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY 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 State University of New York at New Paltz based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 7,898 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • State University of New York at New Paltz is located in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1; James Madison University 17:1.

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, State University of New York at New Paltz 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than JMU ($18,051 vs. $18,856).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 21.7% lower than at State University of New York at New Paltz ($13,056 vs. $16,684).
  • James Madison University is 66.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $5,678 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $8,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.9% higher at JMU than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $12,782 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $18,822.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at New Paltz than at James Madison University (71% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($12,114 vs. $10,087).

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, State University of New York at New Paltz 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 State University of New York at New Paltz.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260) is the same as at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming State University of New York at New Paltz students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman State University of New York at New Paltz 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 (71.5%) than State University of New York at New Paltz (61.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz vs. 18.2% at JMU.

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for State University of New York at New Paltz 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 State University of New York at New Paltz's (69%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have a $1,899 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($196 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

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.