JMU vs. University of Charleston

Should I go to James Madison University or University of Charleston? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if JMU or University of Charleston 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 Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU Penn State
James Madison University vs. University of Charleston comparison
James Madison University University of Charleston College 3 College 4
James Madison University University of Charleston
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

JMU University of Charleston
Location Harrisonburg, VA Charleston, WV
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 22,224 3,059
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #691
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu ucwv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU University of Charleston
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $31,400
Room & Board $12,040 $10,200
Avg Net Price $18,274 $21,308
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $22,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 100%

Admission

JMU University of Charleston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 1,571
Admitted 24,062 1,064
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 67.7%
Enrolled % 20.2% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.13
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Difficult Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 19/23
SAT Range 1140/1320 985/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

JMU University of Charleston
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

JMU University of Charleston
Graduation Rate 81% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $211

Diversity

JMU University of Charleston
% Men 42% 60%
% Women 58% 40%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 58%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 22%

Students

JMU University of Charleston
% In-State 73% 57%
% Out-of-State 26% 30%

Campus

JMU University of Charleston
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 University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 3,059 students)

JMU vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or University of Charleston?

  • University of Charleston is 308.6% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.9% higher at University of Charleston than James Madison University ($31,400.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than University of Charleston ($18,274 vs. $21,308)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 18% lower than costs at James Madison University ($10,200 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Charleston than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 122.4% larger than aid received James Madison University ($22,422 vs. $10,081)

JMU vs. University of Charleston Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 140 points higher than at University of Charleston (994)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Charleston (22)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Charleston (3.13)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than University of Charleston (67.7%)

JMU vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Charleston (81% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $15,100 more per year than University of Charleston graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,200)
  • University of Charleston students graduate with a $399 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $20,899)
  • University of Charleston graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($211 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Charleston students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 58%)

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