W&J vs. JMU

Should I go to Washington & Jefferson College or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if W&J 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Mason Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU Penn State
Washington & Jefferson College vs. James Madison University comparison
Washington & Jefferson College James Madison University College 3 College 4
Washington & Jefferson College James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

W&J JMU
Location Washington, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 1,151 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #264 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website washjeff.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

W&J JMU
Tuition (In State) $49,612 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $49,612 $24,744
Room & Board $13,524 $12,040
Avg Net Price $25,636 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $38,963 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

W&J JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,414 30,727
Admitted 3,007 24,062
Acceptance Rate 88.1% 78.3%
Enrolled % 11.6% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 23/29
SAT Range 1010/1250 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

W&J JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

W&J JMU
Graduation Rate 74% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

W&J JMU
% Men 52% 42%
% Women 48% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

W&J JMU
% In-State 72% 73%
% Out-of-State 28% 26%

Campus

W&J 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

  • James Madison University is larger than than W&J based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,151 students)

W&J vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, W&J or JMU?

  • Washington & Jefferson College is 545.7% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($49,612.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 100.5% higher at W&J than James Madison University ($49,612.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than W&J ($18,274 vs. $25,636)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 12.3% lower than costs at Washington & Jefferson College ($12,040 vs. $13,524)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 286.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($38,963 vs. $10,081)

W&J vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at W&J (3.54)
  • W&J has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than JMU (78.3%)

W&J vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, W&J 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 W&J.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Washington & Jefferson College (81% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $3,400 more per year than W&J graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $56,900)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than W&J graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than W&J graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former W&J students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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