Susquahanna vs. JMU

Should I go to Susquehanna University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Susquahanna 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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Susquehanna University vs. James Madison University comparison
Susquehanna University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Susquehanna University James Madison University
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Overview

Susquahanna JMU
Location Selinsgrove, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 2,247 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #313 #259
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website susqu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Susquahanna JMU
Tuition (In State) $56,600 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $56,600 $25,128
Room & Board $15,700 $12,584
Avg Net Price $27,258 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $45,318 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 81%

Admission

Susquahanna JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,974 35,750
Admitted 4,702 27,258
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 76.2%
Enrolled % 12.3% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/31 25/29
SAT Range 1090/1290 1170/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Susquahanna JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Susquahanna JMU
Graduation Rate 77% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,000 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Susquahanna JMU
% Men 0% 2%
% Women 0% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Susquahanna JMU
% In-State 62% 73%
% Out-of-State 38% 26%

Campus

Susquahanna JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Susquahanna based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 2,247 students)

Susquahanna vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Susquahanna or JMU?

  • Susquehanna University is 615.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($56,600.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 125.2% higher at Susquahanna than James Madison University ($56,600.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Susquahanna ($26,317 vs. $27,258)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 24.8% lower than costs at Susquehanna University ($12,584 vs. $15,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Susquehanna University than James Madison University (95% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Susquehanna University students is 917% larger than aid received James Madison University ($45,318 vs. $4,456)

Susquahanna vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Susquahanna students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Susquahanna has a higher acceptance rate (78.7%) than JMU (76.2%)

Susquahanna vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Susquahanna 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 Susquahanna.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Susquehanna University (81% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $3,300 more per year than Susquahanna graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $57,000)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Susquahanna graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Susquahanna graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More Susquahanna graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 83%)

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