USF Main Campus vs. JMU

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

 USF Main Campus JMU
Location Tampa, FL Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 48,572 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #413 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usf.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 USF Main Campus JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,559 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $15,473 $25,128
Room & Board $13,595 $12,584
Avg Net Price $11,578 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $10,012 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 81%

Admission

 USF Main Campus JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 65,187 35,750
Admitted 26,699 27,258
Acceptance Rate 41% 76.2%
Enrolled % 21.7% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 25/29
SAT Range 1140/1330 1170/1320
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 USF Main Campus JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 USF Main Campus JMU
Graduation Rate 52% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,500 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,147 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $197 $216

Diversity

 USF Main Campus JMU
% Men 9% 2%
% Women 14% 5%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 76%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 21% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 USF Main Campus JMU
% In-State 80% 73%
% Out-of-State 13% 26%

Campus

 USF Main Campus 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 South Florida Main Campus is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (48,572 students vs. 22,758 students)

USF Main Campus vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 73.6% more expensive to attend than USF Main Campus for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $4,559.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.4% higher at JMU than University of South Florida Main Campus ($25,128.00 vs. $15,473.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida Main Campus than JMU ($11,578 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 8% lower than costs at University of South Florida Main Campus ($12,584 vs. $13,595)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of South Florida Main Campus as James Madison University (81% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida Main Campus students is 124.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($10,012 vs. $4,456)

USF Main Campus vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Florida Main Campus (1177) is 43 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than USF Main Campus (41%)

USF Main Campus vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of South Florida Main Campus (81% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $13,800 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $46,500)
  • University of South Florida Main Campus students graduate with a $1,752 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,147 vs. $20,899)
  • USF Main Campus graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($197 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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