Academic Comparison between JMU and W&L

James Madison University and Washington and Lee University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. JMU is a four-year, public school located in Harrisonburg, VA and W&L is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lexington, VA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • JMU is a public and W&L is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • W&L has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,045) than JMU ($31,312).
  • It is harder to admit to W&L than JMU.
  • W&L has a higher submitted SAT score (1,250) than JMU (1,250).
  • W&L has higher submitted ACT score (27) than JMU (27).
  • JMU has more students with 22,740 students while W&L has 2,241 students.
  • W&L has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while JMU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • JMU has more full-time faculties with 1,048 faculties while W&L has 268 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

James Madison Universityvs.Washington and Lee University
Harrisonburg, VirginiaLocationLexington, Virginia
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$13,966
Out-Of-State$31,312
2025 Tuition & Fees$68,045
42%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$10,140Average Amount of Financial Aid$58,158
71.52 %Acceptance Rates13.97 %
18.16 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)41.15 %
1,250SAT Score1,480
27ACT Score34
80 %Graduation Rate94 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
92 %Retention Rate97 %
22,740Student Population2,241
1,048Number of Faculties268
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services