SUNY-ESF vs. JMU

Should I go to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SUNY-ESF 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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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry vs. James Madison University comparison
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry James Madison University College 3 College 4
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry James Madison University
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Overview

 SUNY-ESF JMU
Location Syracuse, NY Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,737 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #255 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website esf.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SUNY-ESF JMU
Tuition (In State) $7,070 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $18,900 $25,128
Room & Board $17,780 $12,584
Avg Net Price $19,644 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $8,675 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 81%

Admission

 SUNY-ESF JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,541 35,750
Admitted 2,937 27,258
Acceptance Rate 82.9% 76.2%
Enrolled % 13.6% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30 25/29
SAT Range 1130/1300 1170/1320
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 SUNY-ESF JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (38%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (37%)
  • Architecture (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Construction Trades (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 SUNY-ESF JMU
Graduation Rate 66% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,750 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $204 $216

Diversity

 SUNY-ESF JMU
% Men 6% 2%
% Women 9% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 SUNY-ESF JMU
% In-State 75% 73%
% Out-of-State 25% 26%

Campus

 SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 2,737 students)

SUNY-ESF vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 11.9% more expensive to attend than SUNY-ESF for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33% higher at JMU than SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($25,128.00 vs. $18,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than JMU ($19,644 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 41.3% lower than costs at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($12,584 vs. $17,780)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than James Madison University (94% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students is 94.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($8,675 vs. $4,456)

SUNY-ESF vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1215) is 81 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than JMU (76.2%)

SUNY-ESF vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY-ESF.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (81% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,100 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $46,200)
  • SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students graduate with a $1,149 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $20,899)
  • SUNY-ESF graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($204 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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