James Madison University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
James Madison University is a public university in Harrisonburg, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public university in Charlottesville, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants and James Madison University about 72%, making University of Virginia-Main Campus the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,565 a year at University of Virginia-Main Campus after aid, and about $23,322 at James Madison University. About 95% of students graduate at University of Virginia-Main Campus, compared with 80% at James Madison University. Ten years after enrolling, University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $86,863, against $69,954 for James Madison University.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus harder to get into?
- University of Virginia-Main Campus is harder to get into. It admits about 17% of applicants, compared with 72% at James Madison University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
- University of Virginia-Main Campus is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,565 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,322 at James Madison University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at James Madison University and University of Virginia-Main Campus?
- Before aid, James Madison University costs about $31,735 a year and University of Virginia-Main Campus about $39,926. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
- University of Virginia-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,174 there, against about $11,444 at James Madison University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
- James Madison University is the larger of the two, with about 20,888 undergraduates against 17,597 at University of Virginia-Main Campus.
- Does James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
- University of Virginia-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 80% at James Madison University.
- Do graduates of James Madison University or University of Virginia-Main Campus earn more?
- University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $86,863 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,954 for James Madison University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do James Madison University and University of Virginia-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
- James Madison University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Virginia-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do James Madison University and University of Virginia-Main Campus look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1170–1340 at James Madison University and 1410–1540 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.