JMU vs. Western Washington University

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

JMU Western Washington University
Location Harrisonburg, VA Bellingham, WA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 22,224 14,747
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #378
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jmu.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JMU Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $7,684 $7,760
Tuition (Out of State) $24,744 $25,666
Room & Board $12,040 $14,691
Avg Net Price $18,274 $21,105
Avg Grant Aid $10,081 $6,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 33% 91%

Admission

JMU Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 30,727 11,864
Admitted 24,062 10,997
Acceptance Rate 78.3% 92.7%
Enrolled % 20.2% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/30
SAT Range 1140/1320 1130/1340
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 15, 2024 Jan 31, 2024

Academics

JMU Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

JMU Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 81% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,300 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,899 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $216 $200

Diversity

JMU Western Washington University
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 73%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 9%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

JMU Western Washington University
% In-State 73% 83%
% Out-of-State 26% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 14,747 students)

JMU vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Western Washington University?

  • Western Washington University is 1% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($7,760.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.7% higher at Western Washington University than James Madison University ($25,666.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Western Washington University ($18,274 vs. $21,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 22% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($12,040 vs. $14,691)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Washington University than James Madison University (91% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 54.6% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($10,081 vs. $6,522)

JMU vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 20 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming JMU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than JMU (78.3%)

JMU vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JMU or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and JMU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Western Washington University (81% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $12,300 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $48,000)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $1,486 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($19,413 vs. $20,899)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($200 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 71%)

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