WCU vs. JMU

Western Carolina University and James Madison University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $18,856 at JMU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
WCU81.8%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JMU higher
WCU1080-1270
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
WCU $5,089 less
WCU$13,767
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
WCU $9,620 less
WCU$4,630
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $22,974 less
WCU$8,630
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +31 pts
WCU50%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$21,200
WCU$39,100
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

James Madison University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 5.4% lower than at James Madison University ($12,354 vs. $13,056).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 266.2% higher at JMU than at Western Carolina University (about $22,974 more per year; $31,604 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at James Madison University (81% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 102.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,114 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at JMU than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JMU average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $1,111 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,899 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($216 vs. $227).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 58%).

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

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