Pitt vs. JMU

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

Pitt JMU
Location Pittsburgh, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 33,767 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pitt.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pitt JMU
Tuition (In State) $19,760 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $24,744
Room & Board $12,360 $12,040
Avg Net Price $24,286 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $10,919 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 33%

Admission

Pitt JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,072 30,727
Admitted 26,079 24,062
Acceptance Rate 49.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 16.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/33 23/29
SAT Range 1280/1470 1140/1320
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Pitt JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Pitt JMU
Graduation Rate 79% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,000 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,909 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $278 $216

Diversity

Pitt JMU
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Pitt JMU
% In-State 54% 73%
% Out-of-State 40% 26%

Campus

Pitt 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

  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (33,767 students vs. 22,224 students)

Pitt vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt or JMU?

  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 157.2% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($19,760.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.5% higher at Pitt than James Madison University ($36,000.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Pitt ($18,274 vs. $24,286)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 2.7% lower than costs at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ($12,040 vs. $12,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than James Madison University (85% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 8.3% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,919 vs. $10,081)

Pitt vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1272) is 138 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Pitt students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Pitt (49.1%)

Pitt vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pitt 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 Pitt.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (81% vs. 79%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Pitt graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $58,000)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,010 lower median federal student loan debt than Pitt graduates. ($20,899 vs. $26,909)
  • JMU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Pitt graduates. ($216 vs. $278)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

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