Ursinus College vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA 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 Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ursinus College is located in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ursinus College 10:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Ursinus College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ursinus College 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 James Madison University than Ursinus College ($18,856 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 23.3% lower than at Ursinus College ($13,056 vs. $17,028).
• Ursinus College is 329.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $46,960 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.7% higher at Ursinus College than at James Madison University (about $29,606 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 269.4% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($44,754 vs. $12,114).

Ursinus College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ursinus College 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 Ursinus College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ursinus College (1290) is 30 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming Ursinus College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at JMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ursinus College 1200/1385; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ursinus College 28/32; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ursinus College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ursinus College May 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Ursinus College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Ursinus College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ursinus College 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 83%)

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.