Penn State York vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State York in York, PA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State York is located in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State York 14:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Penn State York vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York or JMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Penn State York ($18,856 vs. $18,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14.5% lower than at Penn State York ($13,056 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State York is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $958 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at JMU than at Penn State York (about $6,212 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at James Madison University (80% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($12,114 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State York or JMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JMU and Penn State York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 110 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming JMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 1050/1245; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); JMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Penn State York vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York and JMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Penn State York graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,919 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($216 vs. $277).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.