Elon vs. JMU

Should I go to Elon University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Elon 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Mason Virginia Tech VCU UVA CNU Old Dominion Furman Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Wofford College ASU
Elon University vs. James Madison University comparison
Elon University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Elon University James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Elon JMU
Location Elon, NC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 7,123 22,224
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #116 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elon.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elon JMU
Tuition (In State) $41,734 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $41,734 $24,744
Room & Board $13,886 $12,040
Avg Net Price $41,527 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $13,880 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 68% 33%

Admission

Elon JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,551 30,727
Admitted 13,069 24,062
Acceptance Rate 74.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 12.9% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 23/29
SAT Range 1170/1360 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 10, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Elon JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Elon JMU
Graduation Rate 82% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $240 $216

Diversity

Elon JMU
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Elon JMU
% In-State 18% 73%
% Out-of-State 80% 26%

Campus

Elon 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 7,123 students)

Elon vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or JMU?

  • Elon University is 443.1% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($41,734.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.7% higher at Elon than James Madison University ($41,734.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Elon ($18,274 vs. $41,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 15.3% lower than costs at Elon University ($12,040 vs. $13,886)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Elon University than James Madison University (68% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 37.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($13,880 vs. $10,081)

Elon vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 77 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Elon (74.5%)

Elon vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elon 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 Elon.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than James Madison University (82% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $4,100 more per year than Elon graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $56,200)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $2,351 lower median federal student loan debt than Elon graduates. ($20,899 vs. $23,250)
  • JMU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Elon graduates. ($216 vs. $240)
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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