UNF vs. JMU

Should I go to University of North Florida or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNF 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 UCF FAU Elon
University of North Florida vs. James Madison University comparison
University of North Florida James Madison University College 3 College 4
University of North Florida James Madison University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UNF JMU
Location Jacksonville, FL Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 16,406 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #647 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unf.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UNF JMU
Tuition (In State) $4,281 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $17,999 $24,744
Room & Board $10,192 $12,040
Avg Net Price $11,338 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $8,742 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 33%

Admission

 UNF JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,744 30,727
Admitted 13,920 24,062
Acceptance Rate 70.5% 78.3%
Enrolled % 22.5% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.89 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 23/29
SAT Range 1010/1210 1140/1320
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

 UNF JMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 UNF JMU
Graduation Rate 50% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,200 $60,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,000 $20,899
Median Loan Payment $165 $216

Diversity

 UNF JMU
% Men 41% 42%
% Women 59% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 76%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

 UNF JMU
% In-State 90% 73%
% Out-of-State 8% 26%

Campus

 UNF 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 UNF based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 16,406 students)

UNF vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF or JMU?

  • James Madison University is 79.5% more expensive to attend than UNF for in-state tuition ($7,684.00 vs. $4,281.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.5% higher at JMU than University of North Florida ($24,744.00 vs. $17,999.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Florida than JMU ($11,338 vs. $18,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 18.1% lower than costs at James Madison University ($10,192 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of North Florida than James Madison University (99% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 15.3% larger than aid received University of North Florida ($10,081 vs. $8,742)

UNF vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Florida (1140) is 6 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming UNF students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • Accepted freshman UNF students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at JMU (3.57)
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than UNF (70.5%)

UNF vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNF 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 UNF.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than University of North Florida (81% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $13,100 more per year than UNF graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $47,200)
  • University of North Florida students graduate with a $4,899 lower median federal student loan debt than JMU graduates. ($16,000 vs. $20,899)
  • UNF graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than JMU graduates. ($165 vs. $216)
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNF students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 60%)

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