LSU vs. JMU

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

LSU JMU
Location Baton Rouge, LA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 37,348 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #367 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU JMU
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $24,744
Room & Board $13,956 $12,040
Avg Net Price $21,296 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $12,374 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 33%

Admission

LSU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,853 30,727
Admitted 29,419 24,062
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 78.3%
Enrolled % 25.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 23/29
SAT Range 1140/1320 1140/1320
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 Jul 15, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

LSU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

LSU JMU
Graduation Rate 60% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $216 $216

Diversity

LSU JMU
% Men 44% 42%
% Women 56% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 76%
% Black 12% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

LSU JMU
% In-State 65% 73%
% Out-of-State 34% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Louisiana State University is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (37,348 students vs. 22,224 students)

LSU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or JMU?

  • Louisiana State University is 4.6% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($8,038.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 207.8% higher at JMU than Louisiana State University ($24,744.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than LSU ($18,274 vs. $21,296)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 15.9% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($12,040 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than James Madison University (98% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 22.7% larger than aid received James Madison University ($12,374 vs. $10,081)

LSU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 29 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming LSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than LSU (75.7%)

LSU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSU or JMU? 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 JMU and LSU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Louisiana State University (81% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $3,400 more per year than LSU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $56,900)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $1 lower median federal student loan debt than LSU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $20,900)
  • James Madison University and LSU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($216 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 67%)

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