James Madison University (JMU) vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to JMU or WCU?“
James Madison University (JMU)
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)
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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU). 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)
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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| James Madison University (JMU) | West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $10,018 | $9,462 |
| Net Price | $19,669 | $22,250 |
| Average Financial Aid | $7,020 | $4,200 |
| Total Undergraduates | 19019 | 13966 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1040 - 1220 | 980 - 1160 |
| Acceptance Rate | 73 | 59 |
| Location | 800 South Main Street | University Avenue and High Street |
| City Name | Harrisonburg | West Chester |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, James Madison University (JMU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Harrisonburg and West Chester. JMU is in a South Atlantic and WCU is in a Mid-Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is James Madison University (JMU) or West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) 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 WCU?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. JMU charges for on-campus living, while WCU 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 WCU student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| James Madison University (JMU), % | WCU,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 75.97 | 77.9 |
| Hispanic | 5.93 | 5.41 |
| Black | 4.35 | 10.639999999999999 |
| Foreign | 2.03 | 0.44 |
| Others | 11.7 | 5.6 |
How different is the James Madison University (JMU) campus compared to West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) campus?
The JMU campus is located in Harrisonburg, VA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The WCU campus is located in West Chester, PA and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
JMU provides $7,020 whereas WCU provides an average of $4,200.
How does JMU academics compare to WCU?
When analyzing academics between James Madison University (JMU) and West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) 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 | WCU |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 5 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | 5 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 374 | N/A |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 216 | 56 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 55 | N/A |
| Education | N/A | 264 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: James Madison University (JMU) or West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between JMU and WCU. 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 WCU?
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 WCU.
Check here.
Check here.