Jefferson vs. JMU

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

Jefferson JMU
Location Philadelphia, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 8,286 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jefferson.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jefferson JMU
Tuition (In State) $43,100 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $43,100 $24,744
Room & Board $14,715 $12,040
Avg Net Price $28,110 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $32,486 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

Jefferson JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,723 30,727
Admitted 5,085 24,062
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 78.3%
Enrolled % 14.9% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/31 23/29
SAT Range 1130/1350 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 Jul 31, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Jefferson JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Jefferson JMU
Graduation Rate - 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $122,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $12,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $129 $216

Diversity

Jefferson JMU
% Men 27% 42%
% Women 73% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 76%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

Jefferson JMU
% In-State 63% 73%
% Out-of-State 35% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 8,286 students)

Jefferson vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson or JMU?

  • Thomas Jefferson University is 460.9% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($43,100.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.2% higher at Jefferson than James Madison University ($43,100.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Jefferson ($18,274 vs. $28,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.2% lower than costs at Thomas Jefferson University ($12,040 vs. $14,715)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 222.2% larger than aid received James Madison University ($32,486 vs. $10,081)

Jefferson vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than JMU (78.3%)

Jefferson vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jefferson 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 Jefferson.

  • Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn on average $62,600 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($122,900 vs. $60,300)
  • Thomas Jefferson University students graduate with a $8,399 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($12,500 vs. $20,899)
  • Jefferson graduates are paying $87 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($129 vs. $216)
  • More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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