Binghamton University vs. JMU

Deciding between Binghamton University and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Binghamton University
James Madison University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Binghamton University Vestal, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Binghamton University Midsize Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Enrollment
  • Binghamton University 18,816
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Binghamton University Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Binghamton University #127
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Binghamton University -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Binghamton University Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Binghamton University
  • JMU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Binghamton University $10,567
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Binghamton University $30,447
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Binghamton University $18,809
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Binghamton University $18,877
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Binghamton University $11,366
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Binghamton University 61%
  • JMU 33%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Binghamton University 53,007
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Binghamton University 20,464
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Binghamton University 38.6%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Binghamton University 15.9%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Binghamton University 1420
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Binghamton University 31
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Binghamton University 4.0
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Binghamton University A/A+
  • JMU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Binghamton University Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Binghamton University High
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Binghamton University 30/32
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Binghamton University 1340/1500
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Binghamton University Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • JMU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Binghamton University Jan 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Binghamton University 18:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Binghamton University
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Business (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Binghamton University 77%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Binghamton University $64,500
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Binghamton University 76%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Binghamton University $19,535
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Binghamton University $201
  • JMU $216
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Binghamton University 11%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Women
  • Binghamton University 11%
  • JMU 5%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Binghamton University High
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Binghamton University No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Binghamton University 56%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Binghamton University 14%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Binghamton University 5%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Binghamton University 10%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Binghamton University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Binghamton University 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Binghamton University 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Binghamton University 10%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Binghamton University 2%
  • JMU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Binghamton University 82%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Binghamton University 14%
  • JMU 30%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Binghamton University No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Binghamton University in Vestal, NY 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 Binghamton University based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 18,816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Binghamton University is located in Vestal, NY (Midsize Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Binghamton University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Binghamton University 18:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Binghamton University vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University ($18,856 vs. $18,877).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 30.6% lower than at Binghamton University ($13,056 vs. $18,809).
  • James Madison University is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Binghamton University (about $3,683 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $10,567.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at JMU than at Binghamton University (about $1,157 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $30,447.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Binghamton University than at James Madison University (61% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Binghamton University students ($12,114 vs. $11,366).

Binghamton University vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Binghamton University (1420) is 160 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Binghamton University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Binghamton University 1340/1500; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Binghamton University 30/32; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Binghamton University - 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: Binghamton University Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Binghamton University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Binghamton University (38.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Binghamton University vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Binghamton University vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University's (77%).
  • Graduates from Binghamton University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than JMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,500 vs. $60,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Binghamton University graduates have a $1,364 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($19,535 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, Binghamton University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($201 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Binghamton University 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.