Radford vs James Madison University (JMU)
Radford University and James Madison University, both esteemed institutions in Virginia, offer distinct educational experiences. Radford, with an acceptance rate of 79%, welcomes a diverse student body, while JMU's 67% acceptance rate reflects its competitive admissions process. Radford's popular majors include nursing, business, and education, while JMU excels in business, health professions, and communication. JMU's larger student body fosters a vibrant campus life, while Radford's smaller size promotes a close-knit community. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Radford at 62% and JMU at 76%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() James Madison University |
Radford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Radford, Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 95.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
|
$50 |
SAT range | 1140 - 1310 | 950 - 1150 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 19 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,176 | 11,291 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,265 | 10,762 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,767 | 1,292 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 12.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not 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:
$26,632
Out of state:
$38,714
|
Average net price | $18,528 | $16,835 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,460
Out of state:
$23,800
|
In state:
$7,922
Out of state:
$19,557
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,564
Meal plan:
$5,986
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,549
Meal plan:
$4,487
|
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 |
88.0%
Average amount $8,695 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,199 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,344 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $18,776 |
12.0%
Average amount $12,531 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
20,070
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
6,513
Men 38.8% Women 61.2% |
Graduate students |
2,096
Men 29.4% Women 70.6% |
2,485
Men 15.7% Women 84.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 11.8% |
International students | 1.4% | 0.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 3,528 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Virginia Maryland North Carolina District of Columbia Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.8% | 53.9% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 12.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 33.2% |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
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