UNC Charlotte vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 22,740 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; James Madison University 17:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than JMU ($15,045 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9.7% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($13,056 vs. $14,458).
• James Madison University is 96.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $7,011 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.5% higher at JMU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $9,112 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than at James Madison University (60% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 52.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($12,114 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 20 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Charlotte students have the same average high school GPA (3.57) as students at JMU (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 18.2% at JMU.

UNC Charlotte vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $2,101 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,899 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($216 vs. $237).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.