Maryland vs. JMU

Should I go to University of Maryland College Park or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Maryland 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Mason Virginia Tech VCU UMBC UVA CNU TU Binghamton University Wisconsin Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary
University of Maryland College Park vs. James Madison University comparison
University of Maryland College Park James Madison University College 3 College 4
University of Maryland College Park James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Maryland JMU
Location College Park, MD Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 40,813 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #91 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umd.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Maryland JMU
Tuition (In State) $9,889 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $38,690 $25,128
Room & Board $15,416 $12,584
Avg Net Price $15,833 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $12,142 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 81%

Admission

 Maryland JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 59,377 35,750
Admitted 26,625 27,258
Acceptance Rate 44.8% 76.2%
Enrolled % 23.3% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 32/35 25/29
SAT Range 1370/1520 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 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 Maryland JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Maryland JMU
Graduation Rate 82% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,300 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $201 $216

Diversity

 Maryland JMU
% Men 13% 2%
% Women 12% 5%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 76%
% Black 13% 4%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 Maryland JMU
% In-State 69% 73%
% Out-of-State 29% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Maryland College Park is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (40,813 students vs. 22,758 students)

Maryland vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or JMU?

  • University of Maryland College Park is 25% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($9,889.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54% higher at Maryland than James Madison University ($38,690.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland College Park than JMU ($15,833 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.5% lower than costs at University of Maryland College Park ($12,584 vs. $15,416)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at James Madison University than University of Maryland College Park (81% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland College Park students is 172.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($12,142 vs. $4,456)

Maryland vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Maryland College Park (1315) is 181 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Maryland (44.8%)

Maryland vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Maryland 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 Maryland.

  • The graduation rate at Maryland is higher than James Madison University (82% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn on average $8,000 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($68,300 vs. $60,300)
  • University of Maryland College Park students graduate with a $1,399 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $20,899)
  • Maryland graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($201 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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