William & Mary vs James Madison University
William & Mary is a public university in Williamsburg, VA. James Madison University is a public university in Harrisonburg, VA. William & Mary admits about 34% of applicants and James Madison University about 72%, making William & Mary the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,096 a year at William & Mary after aid, and about $23,322 at James Madison University. About 90% of students graduate at William & Mary, compared with 80% at James Madison University. Ten years after enrolling, William & Mary alumni earn a median of about $73,490, against $69,954 for James Madison University.
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- Is William & Mary or James Madison University harder to get into?
- William & Mary is harder to get into. It admits about 34% 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, William & Mary or James Madison University?
- William & Mary is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,096 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 William & Mary and James Madison University?
- Before aid, James Madison University costs about $31,735 a year and William & Mary about $43,035. 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, William & Mary or James Madison University?
- William & Mary. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,106 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, William & Mary or James Madison University?
- James Madison University is the larger of the two, with about 20,888 undergraduates against 7,055 at William & Mary.
- Does William & Mary or James Madison University have a better graduation rate?
- William & Mary has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 80% at James Madison University.
- Do graduates of William & Mary or James Madison University earn more?
- William & Mary alumni earn more on average: a median of about $73,490 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,954 for James Madison University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do William & Mary and James Madison University require SAT or ACT scores?
- William & Mary is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. James Madison University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do William & Mary and James Madison University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1400–1530 at William & Mary and 1170–1340 at James Madison University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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