University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU

Should I go to University of Missouri Columbia or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia vs. James Madison University comparison
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University of Missouri Columbia James Madison University
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Overview

University of Missouri-Columbia JMU
Location Columbia, MO Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 31,304 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #278 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouri.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Missouri-Columbia JMU
Tuition (In State) $10,452 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $30,441 $24,744
Room & Board $10,890 $12,040
Avg Net Price $19,889 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $11,545 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 33%

Admission

University of Missouri-Columbia JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,303 30,727
Admitted 16,065 24,062
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 31% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 23/29
SAT Range 1140/1340 1140/1320
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, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

University of Missouri-Columbia JMU
% Men 44% 42%
% Women 56% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 76%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

University of Missouri-Columbia JMU
% In-State 70% 73%
% Out-of-State 30% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Columbia is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (31,304 students vs. 22,224 students)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or JMU?

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 36% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($10,452.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than James Madison University ($30,441.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,274 vs. $19,889)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 10.6% lower than costs at James Madison University ($10,890 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than James Madison University (87% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 14.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($11,545 vs. $10,081)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 69 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at JMU (25)
  • 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 (79.1%) than JMU (78.3%)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Missouri Columbia (81% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $6,100 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $54,200)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $984 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($20,899 vs. $21,883)
  • JMU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/