James Madison University (JMU) vs. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to JMU or The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)?“
James Madison University (JMU)
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK). 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| James Madison University (JMU) | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $10,018 | $12,436 |
| Net Price | $19,669 | $18,138 |
| Average Financial Aid | $7,020 | $6,831 |
| Total Undergraduates | 19019 | 21661 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1040 - 1220 | 1050 - 1260 |
| Acceptance Rate | 73 | 76 |
| Location | 800 South Main Street | 527 Andy Holt Tower |
| City Name | Harrisonburg | Knoxville |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Harrisonburg and Knoxville. JMU is in a South Atlantic and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is James Madison University (JMU) or The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then James Madison University (JMU) 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 James Madison University (JMU) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. JMU charges for on-campus living, while The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| James Madison University (JMU), % | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 75.97 | 78.97 |
| Hispanic | 5.93 | 3.39 |
| Black | 4.35 | 6.98 |
| Foreign | 2.03 | 1.49 |
| Others | 11.7 | 9.2 |
How different is the James Madison University (JMU) campus compared to The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) campus?
The JMU campus is located in Harrisonburg, VA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) campus is located in Knoxville, TN and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
JMU provides $7,020 whereas The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) provides an average of $6,831.
How does JMU academics compare to The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)?
When analyzing academics between James Madison University (JMU) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) 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 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | 262 |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | 63 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 50 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 374 | 329 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 216 | 76 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 55 | 536 |
| Education | N/A | 39 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: James Madison University (JMU) or The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between JMU and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK). 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)?
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK).
Check here.
Check here.