Rutgers University-Newark vs. JMU

Should I go to Rutgers University Newark or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rutgers University-Newark 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Mason Virginia Tech VCU Rutgers University-Camden UVA CNU Rutgers Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD NJIT
Rutgers University Newark vs. James Madison University comparison
Rutgers University Newark James Madison University College 3 College 4
Rutgers University Newark James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
Location Newark, NJ Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 11,017 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #181 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
Tuition (In State) $12,900 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $30,600 $24,744
Room & Board $14,343 $12,040
Avg Net Price $16,578 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $13,168 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 33%

Admission

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,935 30,727
Admitted 11,043 24,062
Acceptance Rate 73.9% 78.3%
Enrolled % 11.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 23/29
SAT Range 1030/1270 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
Graduation Rate 68% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $229 $216

Diversity

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
% Men 47% 42%
% Women 53% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 25% 76%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 27% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 Rutgers University-Newark JMU
% In-State 93% 73%
% Out-of-State 2% 26%

Campus

 Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 11,017 students)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark or JMU?

  • Rutgers University Newark is 67.9% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($12,900.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.7% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than James Madison University ($30,600.00 vs. $24,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rutgers University Newark than JMU ($16,578 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 19.1% lower than costs at Rutgers University Newark ($12,040 vs. $14,343)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rutgers University Newark than James Madison University (94% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 30.6% larger than aid received James Madison University ($13,168 vs. $10,081)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 104 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1030)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Rutgers University-Newark (73.9%)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Rutgers University Newark (81% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn on average $5,900 more per year than JMU graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $60,300)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $1,316 lower median federal student loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates. ($20,899 vs. $22,215)
  • JMU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Rutgers University-Newark graduates. ($216 vs. $229)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 68%)

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