Purchase College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, 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 Purchase College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Purchase College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than JMU ($18,211 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 20.6% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($13,056 vs. $16,436).
• James Madison University is 59.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $5,297 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at JMU than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $12,401 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at James Madison University (72% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 16.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($12,114 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 20 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Purchase College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $1,601 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($20,899 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($216 vs. $232).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.