JCU vs. JMU

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

John Carroll University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 80.9%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: JMU. Average net price is $18,856 vs $30,030 at JCU.
  • Graduation: JCU 71% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: JCU $57,600 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

John Carroll University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
JCU80.9%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JMU higher
JCU1180-1330
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
JMU $11,174 less
JCU$30,030
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
JMU $36,250 less
JCU$50,500
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
JMU $18,896 less
JCU$50,500
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +10 pts
JCU71%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$2,700
JCU$57,600
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • JCU 4,623
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • JCU 3,740
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • JCU 80.9%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • JCU 15.9%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JCU 1260
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • JCU 28
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • JCU 3.66
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • JCU A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • JCU Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • JCU
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • JCU 25-32
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • JCU Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • JCU
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • JCU $14,520
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • JCU $30,030
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • JCU $35,785
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • JCU 100%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • JCU 71%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • JCU $57,600
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • JCU 74%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • JCU $26,939
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • JCU $278
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • JCU 13:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • JCU 2,864
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • JCU #222
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH 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 JCU based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.1% lower than at John Carroll University ($13,056 vs. $14,520).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 59.8% higher at JCU than at James Madison University (about $18,896 more per year; $50,500 vs. $31,604).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 195.4% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($35,785 vs. $12,114).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at JCU than at JMU (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both JCU and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JCU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at JMU (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,040 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($216 vs. $278).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 74%).

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

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