FIU vs. JMU

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

 FIU JMU
Location Miami, FL Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 55,609 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #622 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fiu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FIU JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,721 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $16,529 $24,744
Room & Board $11,600 $12,040
Avg Net Price $9,881 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $11,087 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 33%

Admission

 FIU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,343 30,727
Admitted 11,075 24,062
Acceptance Rate 63.9% 78.3%
Enrolled % 39.9% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.57
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/26 23/29
SAT Range 1060/1250 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

 FIU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 24:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 FIU JMU
Graduation Rate 43% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,228 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $178 $216

Diversity

 FIU JMU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 9% 76%
% Black 12% 4%
% Hispanic 67% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 FIU JMU
% In-State 94% 73%
% Out-of-State 4% 26%

Campus

 FIU JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida International University is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (55,609 students vs. 22,224 students)

FIU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 62.8% more expensive to attend than FIU for in-state tuition ($7,684.00 vs. $4,721.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.7% higher at JMU than Florida International University ($24,744.00 vs. $16,529.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida International University than JMU ($9,881 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 3.8% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,600 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida International University than James Madison University (89% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida International University students is 10% larger than aid received James Madison University ($11,087 vs. $10,081)

FIU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 44 points higher than at FIU (1090)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at FIU (24)
  • Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than FIU (63.9%)

FIU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FIU 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 FIU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Florida International University (81% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $10,400 more per year than FIU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $49,900)
  • Florida International University students graduate with a $3,671 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($17,228 vs. $20,899)
  • FIU graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($178 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 53%)

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