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Eastern Mennonite University

EMU

Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802-2462

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Eastern Mennonite University is a private institution in Harrisonburg with particular strength in health sciences and business.

A small campus of 800 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

47% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,869 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,615.

Established
1917
Motto
"Preparing students to serve and lead globally." Guiding biblical verse: "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God."
Mascot
HeRM (His Royal Majesty) the Lion
Type
Private university
Conference
Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

100%Acceptance
SAT Avg
800Students
10:1Student:Faculty
47%Grad Rate
$54,869Earnings 10yr
$23,615Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$41,860
Room & Board$12,620
Books & Supplies$1,100
Total Cost of Attendance$54,378
Average Net Price$23,615
Median Debt at Graduation$24,813
Monthly Payment (10yr)$263

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,418
$30–48K$14,081
$48–75K$21,592
$75–110K$26,047
$110K+$31,526

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

45.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (80)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

76%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
800
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
32%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 56%
Black 13%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate47.1%
Freshman Retention76.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,158
10 Years$54,869

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#48
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Royals

LacrosseTriathlon

History & Fun Facts

  • History Eastern Mennonite University was launched in 1917 as the "Eastern Mennonite School" by a group of Mennonite church members.
  • Early Suter's son, Daniel Suter, who taught in the Biology department from 1948 to 1985.
  • In 1947, the school began to offer bachelors degrees in subjects other than theology and changed its name for the first time, becoming "Eastern Mennonite College".
  • In 1948, EMU admitted a local African American student, becoming one of the first historically white colleges in the U.
  • South to integrate prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

111High

Estimated from VA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
104 mi(180 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
134 mi(232 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
149 mi(258 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles84 mi
RIC Richmond108 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington129 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA491 mi · ~14h 11m drive
New York, NY302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Hartford, CT399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
Providence, RI457 mi · ~13h 12m drive
Albany, NY395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
Syracuse, NY347 mi · ~10h 1m drive
Rochester, NY330 mi · ~9h 32m drive
Buffalo, NY305 mi · ~8h 49m drive
Philadelphia, PA224 mi · ~6h 28m drive
Pittsburgh, PA149 mi · ~4h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA164 mi · ~4h 44m drive
Newark, NJ295 mi · ~8h 31m drive
Washington, DC104 mi · ~3h drive
Baltimore, MD134 mi · ~3h 52m drive
Atlanta, GA448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Charlotte, NC249 mi · ~7h 12m drive
Raleigh, NC186 mi · ~5h 22m drive
Miami, FL881 mi · ~25h 27m drive
Orlando, FL701 mi · ~20h 15m drive
Tampa, FL756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Nashville, TN462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA868 mi · ~25h 5m drive
Richmond, VA102 mi · ~2h 57m drive
Chicago, IL518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Detroit, MI345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
Minneapolis, MN866 mi · ~25h 1m drive
St. Louis, MO611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Indianapolis, IN400 mi · ~11h 33m drive
Columbus, OH243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Cleveland, OH257 mi · ~7h 25m drive
Milwaukee, WI568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Dallas, TX1078 mi · ~31h 9m drive
Houston, TX1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Austin, TX1213 mi · ~35h 3m drive
San Antonio, TX1282 mi · ~37h 2m drive
Los Angeles, CA2197 mi · ~63h 28m drive
San Francisco, CA2345 mi · ~67h 45m drive
San Diego, CA2171 mi · ~62h 43m drive
Seattle, WA2251 mi · ~65h 2m drive
Portland, OR2272 mi · ~65h 38m drive
Denver, CO1398 mi · ~40h 23m drive
Phoenix, AZ1878 mi · ~54h 15m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1754 mi · ~50h 40m drive
Honolulu, HI4737 mi · ~136h 51m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Eastern Mennonite University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications