University of Mount Union vs. JMU

Should I go to University of Mount Union or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union vs. James Madison University comparison
University of Mount Union James Madison University College 3 College 4
University of Mount Union James Madison University
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Overview

University of Mount Union JMU
Location Alliance, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 2,169 22,758
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #504 #259
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mountunion.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Mount Union JMU
Tuition (In State) $35,000 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $35,000 $25,128
Room & Board $11,500 $12,584
Avg Net Price $22,835 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $24,047 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 81%

Admission

University of Mount Union JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,322 35,750
Admitted 2,661 27,258
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 76.2%
Enrolled % 20.1% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/28 25/29
SAT Range 1070/1290 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

University of Mount Union JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

University of Mount Union JMU
Graduation Rate 65% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

University of Mount Union JMU
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 7% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

University of Mount Union JMU
% In-State 82% 73%
% Out-of-State 18% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than University of Mount Union based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 2,169 students)

University of Mount Union vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Mount Union or JMU?

  • University of Mount Union is 342.3% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($35,000.00 vs. $7,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.3% higher at University of Mount Union than James Madison University ($35,000.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Mount Union than JMU ($22,835 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Union are 9.4% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,500 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Mount Union than James Madison University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mount Union students is 439.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($24,047 vs. $4,456)

University of Mount Union vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 56 points higher than at University of Mount Union (1078)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Mount Union (24)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Mount Union (3.33)
  • University of Mount Union has a higher acceptance rate (80.1%) than JMU (76.2%)

University of Mount Union vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Mount Union (81% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $12,100 more per year than University of Mount Union graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $48,200)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Mount Union graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than University of Mount Union graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Mount Union students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)

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