Tennessee Tech vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN 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 Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee Technological University is located in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee Technological University 16:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Tennessee Tech vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Technological University than JMU ($15,336 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 1.8% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($13,056 vs. $13,302).
• James Madison University is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $2,874 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.9% higher at JMU than at Tennessee Technological University (about $16,028 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at James Madison University (95% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($12,114 vs. $10,458).

Tennessee Tech vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 20/27; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee Tech - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at JMU (3.57).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Tennessee Tech vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Tennessee Tech vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($165 vs. $216).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

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.