Annapolis vs. JMU

Deciding between United States Naval Academy and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

United States Naval Academy
James Madison University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Annapolis Annapolis, Maryland
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Annapolis Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Annapolis 4,474
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Annapolis Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Annapolis
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Annapolis -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Annapolis Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Annapolis
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Annapolis $0
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Annapolis $0
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Annapolis $0
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Annapolis -
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Annapolis $0
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Annapolis 15,149
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Annapolis 1,405
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Annapolis 9.3%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Annapolis 84.2%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Annapolis 1310
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Annapolis 28
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Annapolis 3.8
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Annapolis A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Annapolis Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Annapolis Extreme
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Annapolis 25/31
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Annapolis 1210/1410
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Annapolis Required
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Annapolis Jan 31, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Annapolis 8:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Annapolis
    • Engineering (30%)
    • Social Sciences (30%)
    • Physical Sciences (17%)
    • History (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Annapolis -
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Annapolis N/A
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Annapolis -
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Annapolis N/A
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Annapolis N/A
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Annapolis 70%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Annapolis 30%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Annapolis -
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Annapolis No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Annapolis 0%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Annapolis 7%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Annapolis 91%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Annapolis Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Annapolis Yes
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Annapolis Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Annapolis No
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Annapolis No
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland 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 Annapolis based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 4,474 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • United States Naval Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Naval Academy 8:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Annapolis vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Annapolis or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • In-state tuition differs between James Madison University and Annapolis ($14,250.00 vs. $0.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition differs between JMU and United States Naval Academy ($31,604.00 vs. $0.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at James Madison University than at United States Naval Academy (33% vs. 0%).

Annapolis vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Annapolis or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Annapolis.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at United States Naval Academy (1310) is 50 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Annapolis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Naval Academy 1210/1410; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Naval Academy 25/31; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Annapolis - Required; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Annapolis Jan 31, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Annapolis students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Annapolis (9.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 84.2% at Annapolis vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Annapolis vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Annapolis and JMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • James Madison University's six-year graduation rate is 81%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Annapolis.
  • Graduates from James Madison University have median earnings of about $60,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Annapolis.

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.