OU vs. JMU

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus and James Madison University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 76.6%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $18,574 at OU vs $18,856 at JMU. JMU in-state tuition is about $4,453 more per year.
  • Graduation: OU 67% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: OU $59,300 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
OU76.6%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JMU higher
OU1140-1330
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
About even
OU$18,574
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
OU $4,453 less
OU$9,797
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
OU $4,227 less
OU$27,377
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +14 pts
OU67%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$1,000
OU$59,300
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • OU 24,893
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • OU 19,069
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • OU 76.6%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • OU 29.3%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • OU 1240
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • OU 26
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • OU 3.66
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • OU A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • OU Difficult
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • OU
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • OU 1140-1330
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • OU 23-29
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • OU Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • OU Feb 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • OU $9,797
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • OU $27,377
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • OU $13,630
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • OU $18,574
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • OU $11,356
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • OU 99%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • OU 67%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • OU $59,300
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • OU 68%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • OU $20,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • OU $206
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • OU 18:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • OU
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • OU Norman, OK
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • OU Small Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • OU 30,851
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • OU Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • OU #245
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than JMU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 22,740 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 4.2% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($13,056 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at JMU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $4,227 more per year; $31,604 vs. $27,377).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($12,114 vs. $11,356).

Admissions details

  • Incoming OU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 26) as students at JMU (26).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both OU and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at OU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at JMU (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $899 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($206 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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