University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. JMU

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

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
Location Asheville, NC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 2,925 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #420 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unca.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,122 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $21,470 $25,128
Room & Board $11,018 $12,584
Avg Net Price $14,175 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $6,856 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 81%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,465 35,750
Admitted 5,131 27,258
Acceptance Rate 93.9% 76.2%
Enrolled % 12.3% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 25/29
SAT Range 1170/1350 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 Aug 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
Graduation Rate 61% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,641 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $213 $216

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
% Men 0% 2%
% Women 1% 5%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 76%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU
% In-State 81% 73%
% Out-of-State 17% 26%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Asheville 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 North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (22,758 students vs. 2,925 students)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Asheville or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 92% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17% higher at JMU than University of North Carolina at Asheville ($25,128.00 vs. $21,470.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Asheville than JMU ($14,175 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 14.2% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,018 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of North Carolina at Asheville than James Madison University (91% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Asheville students is 53.9% larger than aid received James Madison University ($6,856 vs. $4,456)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 25 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of North Carolina at Asheville (3.49)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than JMU (76.2%)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Asheville 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 North Carolina at Asheville.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of North Carolina at Asheville (81% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $22,400 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $37,900)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville students graduate with a $258 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($20,641 vs. $20,899)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($213 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Asheville students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

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