University of North Carolina Asheville vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC 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 University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville than JMU ($13,798 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 6.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,056 vs. $13,992).
• James Madison University is 90% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $6,749 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at JMU than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $6,755 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at James Madison University (90% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 57.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($12,114 vs. $7,683).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 10 points higher than at JMU (1260).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - 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: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 18.2% at JMU.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $258 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,641 vs. $20,899).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($213 vs. $216).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

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.