James Madison University (JMU) vs. Georgia Southern University (GSU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to JMU or Georgia Southern University (GSU)?“
James Madison University (JMU)
Georgia Southern University (GSU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between James Madison University (JMU) and Georgia Southern University (GSU). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between James Madison University (JMU) and Georgia Southern University (GSU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between James Madison University (JMU) and Georgia Southern University (GSU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| James Madison University (JMU) | Georgia Southern University (GSU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $10,018 | $6,273 |
| Net Price | $19,669 | $16,963 |
| Average Financial Aid | $7,020 | $6,122 |
| Total Undergraduates | 19019 | 17173 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1040 - 1220 | 1030 - 1180 |
| Acceptance Rate | 73 | 60 |
| Location | 800 South Main Street | Brannen Hall Room 2015 2670 Southern Drive |
| City Name | Harrisonburg | Statesboro |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Georgia Southern University (GSU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Harrisonburg and Statesboro. JMU is in a South Atlantic and Georgia Southern University (GSU) is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is James Madison University (JMU) or Georgia Southern University (GSU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Georgia Southern University (GSU) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Georgia Southern University (GSU) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, James Madison University (JMU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do JMU Dorms Compare to housing Options at Georgia Southern University (GSU)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. JMU charges for on-campus living, while Georgia Southern University (GSU) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
JMU and Georgia Southern University (GSU) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| James Madison University (JMU), % | Georgia Southern University (GSU),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 75.97 | 62.36000000000001 |
| Hispanic | 5.93 | 4.82 |
| Black | 4.35 | 26.33 |
| Foreign | 2.03 | 1.4200000000000002 |
| Others | 11.7 | 5.1 |
How different is the James Madison University (JMU) campus compared to Georgia Southern University (GSU) campus?
The JMU campus is located in Harrisonburg, VA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The Georgia Southern University (GSU) campus is located in Statesboro, GA and is characterized as Town: Distant (in urban cluster more than 10 miles and up to 35 miles from an urbanized area).
Which school gives more financial aid?
JMU provides $7,020 whereas Georgia Southern University (GSU) provides an average of $6,122.
How does JMU academics compare to Georgia Southern University (GSU)?
When analyzing academics between James Madison University (JMU) and Georgia Southern University (GSU) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | JMU | Georgia Southern University (GSU) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 374 | 149 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 216 | 175 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | 7 |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 55 | 185 |
| Education | N/A | 178 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | 58 |
Which is better: James Madison University (JMU) or Georgia Southern University (GSU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between JMU and Georgia Southern University (GSU). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does JMU social life compare to Georgia Southern University (GSU)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how JMU social life differs from Georgia Southern University (GSU).
Check here.
Check here.