James Madison University (JMU) vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. James Madison University (JMU) and University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass-Amherst) are two excellent options with distinct characteristics. JMU, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (73%) compared to UMass-Amherst's 67%. Both universities offer a diverse range of popular majors, including business, engineering, and nursing. However, UMass-Amherst has a larger student body, with over 28,000 undergraduates, while JMU has a more intimate community of around 21,000 undergraduates. Additionally, UMass-Amherst has a slightly higher graduation rate (82%) compared to JMU's 79%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() James Madison University |
![]() University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
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% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 65.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1140 - 1310 | 1250 - 1460 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,176 | 42,540 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,265 | 27,877 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,767 | 4,872 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 17.5% |
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
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In state:
$32,434
Out of state:
$52,959
|
Average net price | $18,528 | $17,291 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,460
Out of state:
$23,800
|
In state:
$15,791
Out of state:
$36,316
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,564
Meal plan:
$5,986
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,611
Meal plan:
$5,984
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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 $10,662 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,199 |
39.0%
Average amount $5,123 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $18,776 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,924 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
20,070
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
2,096
Men 29.4% Women 70.6% |
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 1.4% | 11.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 13,582 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.8% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 5.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 10.5% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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