Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) vs. James Madison University (JMU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to VCU or JMU?“
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
James Madison University (JMU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and James Madison University (JMU). 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 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and James Madison University (JMU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and James Madison University (JMU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) | James Madison University (JMU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $12,772 | $10,018 |
| Net Price | $21,741 | $19,669 |
| Average Financial Aid | $5,796 | $7,020 |
| Total Undergraduates | 22389 | 19019 |
| Average SAT Scores | 990 - 1200 | 1040 - 1220 |
| Acceptance Rate | 79 | 73 |
| Location | 910 W Franklin St | 800 South Main Street |
| City Name | Richmond | Harrisonburg |
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 Richmond and Harrisonburg. VCU is in a South Atlantic and JMU is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) or James Madison University (JMU) 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, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) 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 VCU Dorms Compare to housing Options at JMU?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. VCU charges for on-campus living, while JMU charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
VCU and JMU student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), % | JMU,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 49.64 | 75.97 |
| Hispanic | 8.44 | 5.93 |
| Black | 18.34 | 4.35 |
| Foreign | 3.35 | 2.03 |
| Others | 20.2 | 11.7 |
How different is the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus compared to James Madison University (JMU) campus?
The VCU campus is located in Richmond, VA and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000). The JMU campus is located in Harrisonburg, VA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
VCU provides $5,796 whereas JMU provides an average of $7,020.
How does VCU academics compare to JMU?
When analyzing academics between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and James Madison University (JMU) 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 | VCU | JMU |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 52 | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 93 | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 290 | 374 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 208 | 216 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 254 | 55 |
| Education | 280 | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) or James Madison University (JMU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between VCU and JMU. 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 VCU social life compare to JMU?
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 VCU social life differs from JMU.
Check here.
Check here.