UL Lafayette vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA 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 UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 15,665 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; James Madison University 17:1.

UL Lafayette vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than JMU ($13,017 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 7.3% lower than at James Madison University ($12,108 vs. $13,056).
• James Madison University is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $3,832 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at JMU than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $7,458 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at James Madison University (91% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 3% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($12,114 vs. $11,762).

UL Lafayette vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 80 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman JMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 18.2% at JMU.

UL Lafayette vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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 (81%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $1,399 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($201 vs. $216).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 55%)

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.