Westminster College vs. JMU

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

Westminster College JMU
Location New Wilmington, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Town Fringe Small City
Enrollment 1,211 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #489 #260
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website westminster.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Westminster College JMU
Tuition (In State) $38,000 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $38,000 $24,744
Room & Board $11,900 $12,040
Avg Net Price $22,645 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $30,252 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

Westminster College JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,225 30,727
Admitted 1,675 24,062
Acceptance Rate 75.3% 78.3%
Enrolled % 17.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 23/29
SAT Range 1040/1258 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

Westminster College JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Westminster College JMU
Graduation Rate 74% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Westminster College JMU
% Men 44% 42%
% Women 56% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 76%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 3%

Students

Westminster College JMU
% In-State 70% 73%
% Out-of-State 29% 26%

Campus

Westminster College 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 Westminster College based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 1,211 students)

Westminster College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster College or JMU?

  • Westminster College is 394.5% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($38,000.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.6% higher at Westminster College than James Madison University ($38,000.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Westminster College ($18,274 vs. $22,645)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 1.2% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,900 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Westminster College than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 200.1% larger than aid received James Madison University ($30,252 vs. $10,081)

Westminster College vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 106 points higher than at Westminster College (1028)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Westminster College (23)
  • Accepted freshman Westminster College students have at the same average high school GPA (3.57) as students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Westminster College (75.3%)

Westminster College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Westminster College 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 Westminster College.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Westminster College (81% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,600 more per year than Westminster College graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,700)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Westminster College graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Westminster College graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westminster College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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