UNH Manchester vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of New Hampshire at Manchester in Manchester, NH 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 UNH Manchester based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Hampshire at Manchester is located in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of New Hampshire at Manchester 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 New Hampshire at Manchester 8:1; James Madison University 17:1.

UNH Manchester vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNH Manchester 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 New Hampshire at Manchester than JMU ($9,760 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 11.2% lower than at University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($13,056 vs. $14,700).
• University of New Hampshire at Manchester is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $1,588 more per year; $15,838.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at UNH Manchester than at James Madison University (about $4,814 more per year; $36,418.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Hampshire at Manchester than at James Madison University (87% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 22% larger than aid received by University of New Hampshire at Manchester students ($12,114 vs. $9,927).

UNH Manchester vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNH Manchester 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 UNH Manchester.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 160 points higher than at UNH Manchester (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Hampshire at Manchester 973/1236; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJames Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNH Manchester - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNH Manchester Apr 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UNH Manchester (3.35).
• UNH Manchester has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at UNH Manchester vs. 18.2% at JMU.

UNH Manchester vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNH Manchester 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 New Hampshire at Manchester's (55%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UNH Manchester graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than UNH Manchester graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNH Manchester graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNH Manchester students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.