UC vs. JMU

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

 UC JMU
Location Cincinnati, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 43,338 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #431 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uc.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UC JMU
Tuition (In State) $11,892 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $28,904 $25,128
Room & Board $13,048 $12,584
Avg Net Price $21,511 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $8,195 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 68% 81%

Admission

 UC JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,165 35,750
Admitted 29,077 27,258
Acceptance Rate 87.7% 76.2%
Enrolled % 23.8% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29 25/29
SAT Range 1150/1360 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 Mar 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 UC JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 UC JMU
Graduation Rate 59% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,600 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $237 $216

Diversity

 UC JMU
% Men 11% 2%
% Women 17% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 76%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 UC JMU
% In-State 77% 73%
% Out-of-State 20% 26%

Campus

 UC 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

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (43,338 students vs. 22,758 students)

UC vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or JMU?

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 50.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($11,892.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15% higher at UC than James Madison University ($28,904.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than JMU ($21,511 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 3.7% lower than costs at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,584 vs. $13,048)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at James Madison University than University of Cincinnati Main Campus (81% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students is 83.9% larger than aid received James Madison University ($8,195 vs. $4,456)

UC vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1165) is 31 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming UC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • UC has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than JMU (76.2%)

UC vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UC 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 UC.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus (81% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,700 more per year than UC graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,600)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,101 lower median federal student loan debt than UC graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than UC graduates. ($216 vs. $237)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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