JMU vs GMU for CS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think companies/hiring people in the DMV KNOW what GMU com sci program requires and they are comfortable assessing someone with that on their resume.

They are probably a little less familiar with a JMU com sci degree.

Both can lead to success and if the student has a strong interest in the JMU campus experience, then it would be fine to get a com sci degree there. We have looked at both for my son as well, and ultimately, the quality at GMU, to us, makes it a better choice. But, if my kid was really heart-set on going to JMU, I'd be o.k with that too. There are other schools that I wouldn't be so o.k. with (like High Point or an OOS school like WVU b/c of the cost being higher and the quality being lower).

But, if the comparison is JMU vs. GMU, the cost is essentially the same. The quality, number of in-major electives, and industry-familiarity is better at GMU, so I'd go with that. But, the difference is not SO SO huge that JMU couldn't work.

I would not say people are more familiar with one or the other. Tons of JMU grads around here. In fact, I might say an older HR person might be biased against GMU as more of a community college type place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think companies/hiring people in the DMV KNOW what GMU com sci program requires and they are comfortable assessing someone with that on their resume.

They are probably a little less familiar with a JMU com sci degree.

Both can lead to success and if the student has a strong interest in the JMU campus experience, then it would be fine to get a com sci degree there. We have looked at both for my son as well, and ultimately, the quality at GMU, to us, makes it a better choice. But, if my kid was really heart-set on going to JMU, I'd be o.k with that too. There are other schools that I wouldn't be so o.k. with (like High Point or an OOS school like WVU b/c of the cost being higher and the quality being lower).

But, if the comparison is JMU vs. GMU, the cost is essentially the same. The quality, number of in-major electives, and industry-familiarity is better at GMU, so I'd go with that. But, the difference is not SO SO huge that JMU couldn't work.

Have data to back this up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think companies/hiring people in the DMV KNOW what GMU com sci program requires and they are comfortable assessing someone with that on their resume.

They are probably a little less familiar with a JMU com sci degree.

Both can lead to success and if the student has a strong interest in the JMU campus experience, then it would be fine to get a com sci degree there. We have looked at both for my son as well, and ultimately, the quality at GMU, to us, makes it a better choice. But, if my kid was really heart-set on going to JMU, I'd be o.k with that too. There are other schools that I wouldn't be so o.k. with (like High Point or an OOS school like WVU b/c of the cost being higher and the quality being lower).

But, if the comparison is JMU vs. GMU, the cost is essentially the same. The quality, number of in-major electives, and industry-familiarity is better at GMU, so I'd go with that. But, the difference is not SO SO huge that JMU couldn't work.

I would not say people are more familiar with one or the other. Tons of JMU grads around here. In fact, I might say an older HR person might be biased against GMU as more of a community college type place.

100

[Anonymous]

OP, since you are focused on jobs and outcomes, you should be able to google something like "JMU CS salary outcomes". Most schools publish something called a Destinations Report that typically includes salary and placement information for their grads. The two schools may not be that far off..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

Most likely because of the fun factor.

[Anonymous]

JMU's CS program does not require calc 2, or linear algebra, which is SUPER unusual. That is odd to me. Also GMU's program is the only one ranked of the two.

[Anonymous]

In recent years, we’ve had a handful of CS interns - several from both Mason and JMU (in addition to VCU and UVA). All were technically capable (with the Mason kids probably having a slight edge) but their work ethics differed greatly. There, our JMU students definitely rose to the top. Small data set, to be sure, so take that it for what it’s worth.

Our one UVA kid was exceptional in many ways: from rural Virginia, quite (and quiet) conservative, musician, HS athlete, and wicked smart (double-major in CS and something very compatible). Destined for a much greater good than our shop, we could not afford them upon graduation.

Please let your DS find his “fit”. I doubt he will have difficulty finding a job regardless of those two fine choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at GMU.

It is a better school academically.

However, if your kid is set on the college social/sports/party/greek life experience, they might be happier at JMU. GMU is a more serious school and does not have a big party culture.

Are there stats somewhere that back GMU being the better school academically, and doesn't it depend on major?

Also, why does it seem the majority of students being referenced on DCUM are CS or Engineering students? That's not how it is in real life.

Maybe because the non-CS/non-engineering students don't have any questions to ask??

That's weird. Why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

I see JMU 68 GMU 32.

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=James+Madison+University&with=George+Mason+University

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

I see JMU 68 GMU 32.

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=James+Madison+University&with=George+Mason+University

It's just a a factor that GMU is close to home.

JMU vs VCU is 50:50

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

I see JMU 68 GMU 32.

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=James+Madison+University&with=George+Mason+University

It's just a a factor that GMU is close to home.

JMU vs VCU is 50:50

JMU vs VT is 20:80

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you can go wrong with either academically but think GMU might be stronger. But if he wants a more well-rounded college experience, then JMU is the better way to go. Apply to both, visit both and see where he falls. Keep all options open.

This is all speculation. Parchment shows 80 percent of students choosing between the two pick JMU.

I see JMU 68 GMU 32.

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=James+Madison+University&with=George+Mason+University

It's just a a factor that GMU is close to home.

JMU vs VCU is 50:50

JMU vs VT is 20:80

GMU:ODU 50:50

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think companies/hiring people in the DMV KNOW what GMU com sci program requires and they are comfortable assessing someone with that on their resume.

They are probably a little less familiar with a JMU com sci degree.

Both can lead to success and if the student has a strong interest in the JMU campus experience, then it would be fine to get a com sci degree there. We have looked at both for my son as well, and ultimately, the quality at GMU, to us, makes it a better choice. But, if my kid was really heart-set on going to JMU, I'd be o.k with that too. There are other schools that I wouldn't be so o.k. with (like High Point or an OOS school like WVU b/c of the cost being higher and the quality being lower).

But, if the comparison is JMU vs. GMU, the cost is essentially the same. The quality, number of in-major electives, and industry-familiarity is better at GMU, so I'd go with that. But, the difference is not SO SO huge that JMU couldn't work.

I would not say people are more familiar with one or the other. Tons of JMU grads around here. In fact, I might say an older HR person might be biased against GMU as more of a community college type place.

I was specifically referencing familiarity with the COMPUTER SCIENCE reputation/program at GMU vs. JMU. Sure there are lots of JMU grads around DMV -- but JMU isn't known for its computer science program. Those JMU grads are likely education, psychology, buisness or communications majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JMU's CS program does not require calc 2, or linear algebra, which is SUPER unusual. That is odd to me. Also GMU's program is the only one ranked of the two.

This is why I mentioned early in this thread that JMU's com sci degree is lighter on math.