UNCSA vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC 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 UNCSA based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 School of the Arts 6:1; James Madison University 17:1.

UNCSA vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 School of the Arts than JMU ($13,140 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 3.4% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($13,056 vs. $13,517).
• James Madison University is 50.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,773 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at JMU than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $4,393 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at James Madison University (62% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 6.3% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,876 vs. $12,114).

UNCSA vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is the same as at JMU (1260).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at JMU (3.57).
• JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 18.2% at JMU.

UNCSA vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 56%)

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.