WCU vs. JMU

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

WCU JMU
Location West Chester, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 17,275 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU JMU
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $24,744
Room & Board $14,228 $12,040
Avg Net Price $22,973 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 33%

Admission

WCU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 30,727
Admitted 12,982 24,062
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 78.3%
Enrolled % 23.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 23/29
SAT Range 1080/1260 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

WCU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

WCU JMU
Graduation Rate 68% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $242 $216

Diversity

WCU JMU
% Men 39% 42%
% Women 61% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 76%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

WCU JMU
% In-State 87% 73%
% Out-of-State 12% 26%

Campus

WCU 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 WCU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 17,275 students)

WCU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or JMU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 0.4% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.3% higher at JMU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($24,744.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than WCU ($18,274 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 18.2% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,040 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than James Madison University (64% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 85.2% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($10,081 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 62 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than JMU (78.3%)

WCU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU 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 WCU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (81% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $11,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $49,000)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,601 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($216 vs. $242)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU 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/