JMU vs. WVU

Deciding between James Madison University and West Virginia 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.

James Madison University
West Virginia University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • JMU Small City
  • WVU Small City
  • Enrollment
  • JMU 22,740
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • JMU #246
  • WVU #566
  • Religious Affiliation
  • JMU -
  • WVU -
  • Status
  • JMU Non-profit
  • WVU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • JMU
  • WVU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • JMU $14,250
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • JMU $31,604
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & Board
  • JMU $13,056
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average Net Price
  • JMU $18,856
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • JMU $12,114
  • WVU $12,363
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • JMU 33%
  • WVU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • JMU 38,428
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • JMU 27,482
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance Rate
  • JMU 71.5%
  • WVU 89%
  • Enrolled
  • JMU 18.2%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JMU 1260
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • JMU 26
  • WVU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • JMU 3.57
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • JMU B+
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • JMU Difficult
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • JMU Low
  • WVU
  • ACT Range
  • JMU 24/29
  • WVU 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • WVU 1010/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • JMU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • WVU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • WVU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • JMU 17:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • JMU 81%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • JMU $60,300
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • JMU 83%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • JMU $20,899
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • JMU $216
  • WVU $248

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • JMU 2%
  • WVU 10%
  • % Women
  • JMU 5%
  • WVU 13%
  • Racial Diversity
  • JMU Low
  • WVU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • JMU No
  • WVU No
  • % White
  • JMU 76%
  • WVU 81%
  • % Asian
  • JMU 4%
  • WVU 1%
  • % Black
  • JMU 4%
  • WVU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • JMU 6%
  • WVU 4%
  • % Native American
  • JMU 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • JMU 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • JMU 4%
  • WVU 3%
  • % International
  • JMU 2%
  • WVU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • JMU 3%
  • WVU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • JMU 69%
  • WVU 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • JMU 30%
  • WVU 58%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 22,740 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: James Madison University 17:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

JMU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than JMU ($15,169 vs. $18,856).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.5% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,056 vs. $14,582).
  • James Madison University is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $4,146 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $10,104.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at JMU than at West Virginia University (about $2,996 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $28,608.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at James Madison University (94% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 2.1% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($12,363 vs. $12,114).

JMU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JMU or WVU? 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 WVU and JMU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 140 points higher than at WVU (1120).
  • Incoming JMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at WVU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 1170/1340; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 24/29; West Virginia University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); WVU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WVU (3.45).
  • WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at JMU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

JMU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JMU and WVU? 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).

  • James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than West Virginia University's (57%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $3,102 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($20,899 vs. $24,001).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($216 vs. $248).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 59%)

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.