Xavier vs. JMU

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

Xavier JMU
Location Cincinnati, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,114 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #253 #260
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website xavier.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Xavier JMU
Tuition (In State) $44,770 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $44,770 $24,744
Room & Board $13,820 $12,040
Avg Net Price $31,619 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $27,897 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

Xavier JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,836 30,727
Admitted 12,542 24,062
Acceptance Rate 84.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 9.5% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 23/29
SAT Range 1120/1310 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

Xavier JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Xavier JMU
Graduation Rate 77% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,500 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $279 $216

Diversity

Xavier JMU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 76%
% Black 10% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

Xavier JMU
% In-State 43% 73%
% Out-of-State 56% 26%

Campus

Xavier 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 Xavier based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 6,114 students)

Xavier vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Xavier or JMU?

  • Xavier University is 482.6% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($44,770.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.9% higher at Xavier than James Madison University ($44,770.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Xavier ($18,274 vs. $31,619)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14.8% lower than costs at Xavier University ($12,040 vs. $13,820)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Xavier University than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 176.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($27,897 vs. $10,081)

Xavier vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 23 points higher than at Xavier (1111)
  • Incoming Xavier students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than JMU (78.3%)

Xavier vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Xavier 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 Xavier.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Xavier University (81% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $5,800 more per year than Xavier graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $54,500)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $6,101 lower median federal student loan debt than Xavier graduates. ($20,899 vs. $27,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Xavier graduates. ($216 vs. $279)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Xavier students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

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