Academic Comparison between W&L and JMU

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

  • W&L is a private (not-for-profit) and JMU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • W&L has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,525) than JMU ($30,790).
  • It is harder to admit to W&L than JMU.
  • W&L has a higher submitted SAT score (1,490) than JMU (1,240).
  • W&L has higher submitted ACT score (34) than JMU (27).
  • JMU has more students with 22,224 students while W&L has 2,243 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 1,060 faculties while W&L has 251 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Washington and Lee Universityvs.James Madison University
Lexington, VirginiaLocationHarrisonburg, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$64,5252024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,576
Out-Of-State$30,790
63%% Receiving Financial Aid35%
$50,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,388
17.36 %Acceptance Rates76.25 %
42.40 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.06 %
1,490SAT Score1,240
34ACT Score27
94 %Graduation Rate81 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
98 %Retention Rate89 %
2,243Student Population22,224
251Number of Faculties1,060
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services