OU vs. JMU

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

 OU JMU
Location Norman, OK Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 29,145 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #223 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ou.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 OU JMU
Tuition (In State) $5,070 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $25,128
Room & Board $13,310 $12,584
Avg Net Price $19,900 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $10,830 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 81%

Admission

 OU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,337 35,750
Admitted 17,097 27,258
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 76.2%
Enrolled % 30.4% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/29
SAT Range 1140/1330 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 Feb 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 OU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 OU JMU
Graduation Rate 67% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,300 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $206 $216

Diversity

 OU JMU
% Men 10% 2%
% Women 14% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 OU JMU
% In-State 50% 73%
% Out-of-State 48% 26%

Campus

 OU JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (29,145 students vs. 22,758 students)

OU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 56.1% more expensive to attend than OU for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $5,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at JMU than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($25,128.00 vs. $22,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than JMU ($19,900 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 5.8% lower than costs at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($12,584 vs. $13,310)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than James Madison University (99% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 143% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,830 vs. $4,456)

OU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1204) is 70 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming OU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than JMU (76.2%)

OU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, OU 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 OU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (81% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $1,000 more per year than OU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $59,300)
  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students graduate with a $899 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $20,899)
  • OU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($206 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 68%)

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