Lafayette College vs. JMU

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

Lafayette College
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 71.5%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: JMU. Average net price is $18,856 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

Lafayette College James Madison University
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
JMU $19,586 less
Lafayette College$38,442
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
JMU $51,148 less
Lafayette College$65,398
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
JMU $33,794 less
Lafayette College$65,398
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +7 pts
Lafayette College88%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$20,700
Lafayette College$81,000
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare Lafayette College in Easton, PA 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 Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette College 10:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 34.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($13,056 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 106.9% higher at Lafayette College than at James Madison University (about $33,794 more per year; $65,398 vs. $31,604).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at James Madison University (61% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 269.1% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($44,707 vs. $12,114).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Lafayette College than at JMU (32 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JMU average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($216 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 83%).

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

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