James Madison University (JMU) vs University of Delaware (UDel)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Newark, Delaware, home to James Madison University (JMU) and the University of Delaware (UD), respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. JMU boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while UD's lower student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention. Explore their diverse academic offerings, with JMU excelling in nursing, health professions, and business, and UD showcasing strengths in engineering, biological sciences, and education. Discover the unique student body demographics, with JMU's larger undergraduate population and UD's more balanced gender ratio. Compare their impressive graduation rates, reflecting the institutions' dedication to student success. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table to uncover further insights and determine which university aligns best with your aspirations.
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![]() James Madison University |
![]() University of Delaware |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Newark, Delaware |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 72.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | 1140 - 1310 | 1155 - 1340 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 6.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,176 | 34,111 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,265 | 24,679 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,767 | 4,617 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 18.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,293
Out of state:
$46,219
|
In state:
$31,562
Out of state:
$53,422
|
Average net price | $18,528 | $19,122 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,460
Out of state:
$23,800
|
In state:
$12,980
Out of state:
$34,840
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,564
Meal plan:
$5,986
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,316
Meal plan:
$5,426
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
31.0%
Average amount $9,594 |
86.0%
Average amount $12,410 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,199 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,217 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $18,776 |
8.0%
Average amount $19,017 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
20,070
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
19,410
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
Graduate students |
2,096
Men 29.4% Women 70.6% |
4,586
Men 46.6% Women 53.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 63.0% |
International students | 1.4% | 10.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 6,911 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Delaware New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.8% | 82.3% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 15.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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