University of Dayton vs. JMU

Deciding between University of Dayton 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.

University of Dayton
James Madison University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dayton in Dayton, OH 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 University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; James Madison University 17:1.

University of Dayton vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton 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 James Madison University than University of Dayton ($18,856 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.3% lower than at University of Dayton ($13,056 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 244.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $34,890 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at University of Dayton than at James Madison University (about $17,536 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at James Madison University (95% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 175.9% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($33,418 vs. $12,114).

University of Dayton vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 30 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 18.2% at JMU.

University of Dayton vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($216 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.