NC State vs. JMU

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

NC State JMU
Location Raleigh, NC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 37,323 22,758
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #118 #259
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ncsu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NC State JMU
Tuition (In State) $6,535 $7,914
Tuition (Out of State) $29,407 $25,128
Room & Board $13,719 $12,584
Avg Net Price $14,860 $26,317
Avg Grant Aid $11,811 $4,456
% Receiving Grant Aid 50% 81%

Admission

NC State JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 40,049 35,750
Admitted 15,958 27,258
Acceptance Rate 39.8% 76.2%
Enrolled % 35.9% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.83 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 25/29
SAT Range 1300/1460 1170/1320
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, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

NC State JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

NC State JMU
Graduation Rate 72% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,782 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $214 $216

Diversity

NC State JMU
% Men 14% 2%
% Women 13% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

NC State JMU
% In-State 85% 73%
% Out-of-State 13% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than than JMU based on total student enrollment (37,323 students vs. 22,758 students)

NC State vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 21.1% more expensive to attend than NC State for in-state tuition ($7,914.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17% higher at NC State than James Madison University ($29,407.00 vs. $25,128.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than JMU ($14,860 vs. $26,317)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 9% lower than costs at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,584 vs. $13,719)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at James Madison University than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (81% vs. 50%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 165.1% larger than aid received James Madison University ($11,811 vs. $4,456)

NC State vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 130 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than NC State (39.8%)

NC State vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NC State 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 NC State.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (81% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $3,100 more per year than NC State graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $57,200)
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate with a $117 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($20,782 vs. $20,899)
  • NC State graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($214 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 76%)

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