Southern Polytechnic State University vs. JMU

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

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
Location Marietta, Georgia Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spsu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,417 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $15,722 $24,744
Room & Board $8,390 $12,040
Avg Net Price $10,562 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $5,879 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 33%

Admission

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,535 30,727
Admitted 1,212 24,062
Acceptance Rate 79% 78.3%
Enrolled % 65.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/26 23/29
SAT Range 1110/1300 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering Technology (40%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (16%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Architecture (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
Graduation Rate 34% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments - 83%
Median Student Loan Debt N/A $20,899
Median Loan Payment N/A $216

Diversity

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
% Men NaN 42%
% Women NaN 58%
Racial Diversity - Low
HBCU No No
% White 0% 76%
% Black 0% 4%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Southern Polytechnic State University JMU
% In-State - 73%
% Out-of-State - 26%

Campus

Southern Polytechnic State University 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

  • James Madison University is larger than than Southern Polytechnic State University based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 0 students)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Polytechnic State University or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 74% more expensive to attend than Southern Polytechnic State University for in-state tuition ($7,684.00 vs. $4,417.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.4% higher at JMU than Southern Polytechnic State University ($24,744.00 vs. $15,722.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Polytechnic State University than JMU ($10,562 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Polytechnic State University are 43.5% lower than costs at James Madison University ($8,390 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Polytechnic State University than James Madison University (83% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 71.5% larger than aid received Southern Polytechnic State University ($10,081 vs. $5,879)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Southern Polytechnic State University (3.45)
  • Southern Polytechnic State University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than JMU (78.3%)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Polytechnic State University 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 Southern Polytechnic State University.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Southern Polytechnic State University (81% vs. 34%)

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