MSU vs. JMU

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

MSU JMU
Location Bozeman, MT Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 16,681 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #590 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU JMU
Tuition (In State) $5,824 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $27,391 $24,744
Room & Board $11,300 $12,040
Avg Net Price $17,250 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $5,749 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 33%

Admission

MSU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 28,794 30,727
Admitted 21,116 24,062
Acceptance Rate 73.3% 78.3%
Enrolled % 17.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 23/29
SAT Range 1070/1290 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 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

MSU JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

MSU JMU
Graduation Rate 51% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $248 $216

Diversity

MSU JMU
% Men 52% 42%
% Women 48% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 86% 76%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

MSU JMU
% In-State 35% 73%
% Out-of-State 65% 26%

Campus

MSU 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

  • James Madison University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 16,681 students)

MSU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 31.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($7,684.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.7% higher at MSU than James Madison University ($27,391.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than JMU ($17,250 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 6.5% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,300 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than James Madison University (100% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 75.4% larger than aid received Montana State University ($10,081 vs. $5,749)

MSU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 3 points higher than at MSU (1131)
  • Incoming MSU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at MSU (3.5)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than MSU (73.3%)

MSU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU 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 MSU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Montana State University (81% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $14,500 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $45,800)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $3,101 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $24,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($216 vs. $248)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU 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/