Houghton University vs. JMU

Houghton University and James Madison University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Houghton University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: JMU. Average net price is $18,856 vs $21,274 at Houghton University.
  • Graduation: Houghton University 68% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Houghton University $44,300 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

Houghton University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
Houghton University88.7%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Houghton University higher
Houghton University1170-1375
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
JMU $2,418 less
Houghton University$21,274
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
JMU $4,180 less
Houghton University$18,430
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
Houghton University $13,174 less
Houghton University$18,430
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +13 pts
Houghton University68%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$16,000
Houghton University$44,300
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Houghton University 1,041
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Houghton University 923
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • Houghton University 88.7%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Houghton University 23.2%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Houghton University 1270
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Houghton University 28
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Houghton University 3.25
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Houghton University B+
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Houghton University Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Houghton University
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Houghton University 1170-1375
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • Houghton University 26-31
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Houghton University Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Houghton University
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • Houghton University $11,360
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • Houghton University $21,274
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • Houghton University $9,902
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Houghton University 100%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Houghton University 68%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Houghton University $44,300
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Houghton University 77%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Houghton University $25,500
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • Houghton University $263
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Houghton University 12:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Houghton University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Houghton University Houghton, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Houghton University Remote Rural
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Houghton University 1,200
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Houghton University Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Houghton University #432
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

James Madison University is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,200 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 13% lower than at James Madison University ($11,360 vs. $13,056).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71.5% higher at JMU than at Houghton University (about $13,174 more per year; $31,604 vs. $18,430).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($12,114 vs. $9,902).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Houghton University than at JMU (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Houghton University and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JMU average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at Houghton University (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $4,601 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($20,899 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($216 vs. $263).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 77%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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