Bucknell vs. JMU

Deciding between Bucknell University and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bucknell University
James Madison University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • JMU Small City
  • Enrollment
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bucknell #71
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bucknell -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Bucknell Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bucknell
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bucknell 59%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bucknell 1390
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bucknell 31
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bucknell B+
  • JMU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bucknell Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bucknell High
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Bucknell 30/33
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Bucknell 1310/1470
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bucknell Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • JMU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bucknell 91%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bucknell 89%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bucknell $279
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bucknell 1%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Women
  • Bucknell 1%
  • JMU 5%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bucknell Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Bucknell No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Bucknell 77%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Bucknell 4%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Bucknell 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bucknell 6%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Bucknell 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bucknell 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bucknell 4%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Bucknell 5%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bucknell 0%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bucknell 19%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bucknell 77%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bucknell Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bucknell Yes
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bucknell Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bucknell No
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bucknell No
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Bucknell vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Bucknell ($18,856 vs. $39,003).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22.9% lower than at Bucknell University ($13,056 vs. $16,924).
  • Bucknell University is 375.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $53,562 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 114.6% higher at Bucknell than at James Madison University (about $36,208 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at James Madison University (59% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 269.3% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($44,734 vs. $12,114).

Bucknell vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Bucknell.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 130 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Bucknell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); JMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Bucknell vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than James Madison University's (81%).
  • Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than JMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $60,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($216 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.