Widener University-Main Campus vs. JMU

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

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Location Chester, PA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,416 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #364 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website widener.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Tuition (In State) $50,624 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $50,624 $24,744
Room & Board $15,200 $12,040
Avg Net Price $32,185 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $32,412 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 33%

Admission

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,961 30,727
Admitted 5,227 24,062
Acceptance Rate 87.7% 78.3%
Enrolled % 10.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 23/29
SAT Range 1105/1290 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

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Graduation Rate 54% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,500 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
% Men 34% 42%
% Women 66% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 76%
% Black 13% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
% In-State 61% 73%
% Out-of-State 38% 26%

Campus

Widener University-Main Campus JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Widener University-Main Campus based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 5,416 students)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Widener University-Main Campus or JMU?

  • Widener University Main Campus is 558.8% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($50,624.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.6% higher at Widener University-Main Campus than James Madison University ($50,624.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Widener University-Main Campus ($18,274 vs. $32,185)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 26.2% lower than costs at Widener University Main Campus ($12,040 vs. $15,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Widener University Main Campus than James Madison University (97% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University Main Campus students is 221.5% larger than aid received James Madison University ($32,412 vs. $10,081)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 102 points higher than at Widener University-Main Campus (1032)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Widener University-Main Campus (23)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Widener University-Main Campus (3.46)
  • Widener University-Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than JMU (78.3%)

Widener University-Main Campus vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Widener University-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 Widener University-Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Widener University Main Campus (81% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $800 more per year than Widener University-Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $59,500)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Widener University-Main Campus graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Widener University-Main Campus graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University-Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 68%)

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