University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU

Deciding between University of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia
James Madison University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Midsize City
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31,543
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Missouri-Columbia #273
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Missouri-Columbia -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $14,837
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $36,056
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,700
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $22,169
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,203
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 95%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 24,490
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 19,218
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 78.5%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1240
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 26
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3.61
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Missouri-Columbia A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 23/30
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1150/1330
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 17:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 69%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $54,200
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 73%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $21,883
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $226
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 44%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 56%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Missouri-Columbia No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 79%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 8%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 65%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 34%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 22,740 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • University of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia 17:1; James Madison University 17:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri-Columbia ($18,856 vs. $22,169).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 4.7% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($13,056 vs. $13,700).
  • University of Missouri Columbia is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $587 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at James Madison University (about $4,452 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at James Madison University (95% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 9% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($13,203 vs. $12,114).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri-Columbia.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 20 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 18.2% at JMU.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia's (69%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $984 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,899 vs. $21,883).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($216 vs. $226).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 73%)

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.