OU vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 22,740 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; James Madison University 17:1.

OU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus than JMU ($18,574 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 4.2% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($13,056 vs. $13,630).
• James Madison University is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $4,453 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at JMU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $4,227 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($12,114 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU 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 OU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 20 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming OU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• 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 (76.6%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

OU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $899 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.