Alabama vs. JMU

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

 Alabama JMU
Location Tuscaloosa, AL Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 38,644 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #404 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ua.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Alabama JMU
Tuition (In State) $11,100 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $31,460 $24,744
Room & Board $14,426 $12,040
Avg Net Price $20,592 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $15,683 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 33%

Admission

 Alabama JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,072 30,727
Admitted 43,290 24,062
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 18.6% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/31 23/29
SAT Range 1130/1410 1140/1320
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 May 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Alabama JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Alabama JMU
Graduation Rate 66% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,750 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $245 $216

Diversity

 Alabama JMU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 76%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

 Alabama JMU
% In-State 35% 73%
% Out-of-State 64% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Alabama is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (38,644 students vs. 22,224 students)

Alabama vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or JMU?

  • The University of Alabama is 44.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($11,100.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.1% higher at Alabama than James Madison University ($31,460.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Alabama ($18,274 vs. $20,592)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 19.8% lower than costs at The University of Alabama ($12,040 vs. $14,426)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Alabama than James Madison University (82% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 55.6% larger than aid received James Madison University ($15,683 vs. $10,081)

Alabama vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Alabama (1181) is 47 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (80.1%) than JMU (78.3%)

Alabama vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alabama 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 Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than The University of Alabama (81% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $10,400 more per year than Alabama graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $49,900)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,851 lower median federal student loan debt than Alabama graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,750)
  • JMU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Alabama graduates. ($216 vs. $245)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 59%)

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