University of Akron vs. JMU

Should I go to University of Akron Main Campus or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Akron 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 UVA CNU Old Dominion Mary Washington College William & Mary UD Elon ASU Penn State
University of Akron Main Campus vs. James Madison University comparison
University of Akron Main Campus James Madison University College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Akron JMU
Location Akron, OH Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,465 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #838 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Akron JMU
Tuition (In State) $10,097 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $13,170 $24,744
Room & Board $12,410 $12,040
Avg Net Price $14,667 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $8,525 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 33%

Admission

University of Akron JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,282 30,727
Admitted 10,178 24,062
Acceptance Rate 82.9%Open 78.3%
Enrolled % 20.8%Open 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 23/29
SAT Range 980/1230 1140/1320
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 Aug 1, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

University of Akron JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

University of Akron JMU
Graduation Rate 38% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $263 $216

Diversity

University of Akron JMU
% Men 50% 42%
% Women 50% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 12% 4%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

University of Akron JMU
% In-State 92% 73%
% Out-of-State 7% 26%

Campus

University of Akron JMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 13,465 students)

University of Akron vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or JMU?

  • University of Akron Main Campus is 31.4% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($10,097.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.9% higher at JMU than University of Akron Main Campus ($24,744.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than JMU ($14,667 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 3.1% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($12,040 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than James Madison University (96% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 18.3% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($10,081 vs. $8,525)

University of Akron vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at James Madison University (1134) is 85 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • University of Akron has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than JMU (78.3%)

University of Akron vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron 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 University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (81% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $20,200 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $40,100)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,601 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,500)
  • JMU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($216 vs. $263)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 45%)

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