GMU Leaps 34 Spots Ahead of JMU in 2026 Rankings, Even VCU Now Higher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

It's actually a fair bit different:
JMU 66% in 24-25 https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU 87% in 24-25 (pg 13 gotta do math https://oiep.gmu.edu/resources/common-data-set/)

Which is why people don't believe GMU is good b/c JMU is more selective. Both are solid schools.

Selectivity in this case means nothing. As stated, JMU is more popular only because it offers the stereotypical college experience, while GMU doesn't. And GMU is a lot larger than JMU.

GMU's purpose is to educate the masses, first gen, low income. And it does a great job of it.

Uh speak from ignorance. My DD had a fulsome four year college experience at GMU. She lived in the dorms all four years, participated in sports, a sorority and was hired before graduation in the field she is still working in. The only “thing” GMU doesn’t have is a football team (thank heavens for that). All freshman are required to live on campus. There are over 6,000 dorm rooms. Four campuses including Arlington, Manassas high tech and Seoul Korea. You need to visit.

It's still largely considered a suitcase school.

You must be very old or very ignorant. GMU lost the commuter tag in 2010 when the Carnegie Foundation, a National Research Foundation, reclassified GMU as “primarily residential”. You can google this to educate yourself. GMU has 6,600 beds and freshman are required to live on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, back to the initial comment, it is interesting and surprising that GMU has moved up and faster than JMU. My guess is proximity to DC gives it an edge because students can look at the DC job market. Both schools have grown their offerings a ton. We are super lucky here in Virginia to have such a range of in state offerings.

JMU has only been classified as a national university 3-4 years. Previously ranked as a southern regional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, acceptance rate means nothing in this regard.

https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2025/#data

ROI GMU > ROI JMU

Adjust for majors and likely no difference.

? why adjust for majors? Rankings don't adjust for majors.

Because ROI is highly dependent on major. I assume people are really most interested in future earnings. GMU has a higher percentage majoring in higher earning majors than, but that doesn't mean graduates earn more in any given major.

Right, and in part, that is what makes GMU > JMU. It churns out grads getting into higher paying jobs.

[Anonymous]

Both GMU and VCU have visibly stronger STEM programs than JMU. As an example, the first two have separate substantial colleges of engineering offering multiple specific engineering degrees (EE,ComputerE, and so on). JMU only offers a general degree in engineering and does not have a full fledged engineering school.

As a STEM hiring manager, I look for specific engineering degrees and also specific skill sets. Someone with a general engineering degree is just not useful in my workplace, for lack of in-depth specific knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

It's actually a fair bit different:
JMU 66% in 24-25 https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU 87% in 24-25 (pg 13 gotta do math https://oiep.gmu.edu/resources/common-data-set/)

Which is why people don't believe GMU is good b/c JMU is more selective. Both are solid schools.

Selectivity in this case means nothing. As stated, JMU is more popular only because it offers the stereotypical college experience, while GMU doesn't. And GMU is a lot larger than JMU.

GMU's purpose is to educate the masses, first gen, low income. And it does a great job of it.

Uh speak from ignorance. My DD had a fulsome four year college experience at GMU. She lived in the dorms all four years, participated in sports, a sorority and was hired before graduation in the field she is still working in. The only “thing” GMU doesn’t have is a football team (thank heavens for that). All freshman are required to live on campus. There are over 6,000 dorm rooms. Four campuses including Arlington, Manassas high tech and Seoul Korea. You need to visit.

It's still largely considered a suitcase school.

You must be very old or very ignorant. GMU lost the commuter tag in 2010 when the Carnegie Foundation, a National Research Foundation, reclassified GMU as “primarily residential”. You can google this to educate yourself. GMU has 6,600 beds and freshman are required to live on campus.

Look, dick, I said largely CONSIDERED. I didn't say it was the reality. I'm talking about the public's perception -- and more important the perception of NOVA high school students.

[Anonymous]

Pell grants still a part of rankings?
VCU 33%
GMU 32%
JMU 15%
https://research.schev.edu/fair/pell_dom_report.asp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

It's actually a fair bit different:
JMU 66% in 24-25 https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU 87% in 24-25 (pg 13 gotta do math https://oiep.gmu.edu/resources/common-data-set/)

Which is why people don't believe GMU is good b/c JMU is more selective. Both are solid schools.

Selectivity in this case means nothing. As stated, JMU is more popular only because it offers the stereotypical college experience, while GMU doesn't. And GMU is a lot larger than JMU.

GMU's purpose is to educate the masses, first gen, low income. And it does a great job of it.

Uh speak from ignorance. My DD had a fulsome four year college experience at GMU. She lived in the dorms all four years, participated in sports, a sorority and was hired before graduation in the field she is still working in. The only “thing” GMU doesn’t have is a football team (thank heavens for that). All freshman are required to live on campus. There are over 6,000 dorm rooms. Four campuses including Arlington, Manassas high tech and Seoul Korea. You need to visit.

5.

Gmu just opened another tech campus in Arlington.

https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/gmu-celebrates-new-fuse-building-in-arlington/article_f11abec7-1d3d-4c08-b94a-1562a36562eb.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

NOPE.
JmU Acceptance rate 66% https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU Acceptance rate 91% acceptance rate https://www.gmu.edu/about

GMU does a guaranteed admit to northern virginia kids above a certain gpa

That is why the admit rate is so high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

NOPE.
JmU Acceptance rate 66% https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU Acceptance rate 91% acceptance rate https://www.gmu.edu/about

GMU does a guaranteed admit to northern virginia kids above a certain gpa

That is why the admit rate is so high.

Clarification: The direct admission scheme is only applicable for NoVA kids from certain specific public high schools. It is not the case for NoVA kids from all public NoVA high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only JMU kids thought it meant Just Missed UVA. Everyone else knew the real
tops were UVA, VT and W&M. I find it interesting that VT and W&M are tied. It makes sense because both are solid but in totally different ways and have a totally different feel.

You are wrong. In the mid 90s everyone knew Tech was less competitive than JMU. Perhaps because of JMU's size of 12,000 to whatever Tech was back then. Clearly, when JMU doubled its size it lessened its selectivity. I'm happy for all the schools. GMU is never going to be like Tech, UVA or JMU. Its location and selectivity set it apart. We are lucky to have so many different options to choose from.

I agree on location, JMU gives you that far-off college town vibe; however, in terms of selectivity, JMU is like 80% and GMU is like 85% so not sure about that.

NOPE.
JmU Acceptance rate 66% https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
GMU Acceptance rate 91% acceptance rate https://www.gmu.edu/about

GMU does a guaranteed admit to northern virginia kids above a certain gpa

That is why the admit rate is so high.

Clarification: The direct admission scheme is only applicable for NoVA kids from certain specific public high schools. It is not the case for NoVA kids from all public NoVA high schools.

JMU doesn’t need a scheme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, acceptance rate means nothing in this regard.

https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2025/#data

ROI GMU > ROI JMU

Adjust for majors and likely no difference.

? why adjust for majors? Rankings don't adjust for majors.

Because ROI is highly dependent on major. I assume people are really most interested in future earnings. GMU has a higher percentage majoring in higher earning majors than, but that doesn't mean graduates earn more in any given major.

Right, and in part, that is what makes GMU > JMU. It churns out grads getting into higher paying jobs.

JMU churns out more grads that get jobs.

Anonymous wrote:
GMU = 85% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

JMU = 95% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, acceptance rate means nothing in this regard.

https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2025/#data

ROI GMU > ROI JMU

Adjust for majors and likely no difference.

? why adjust for majors? Rankings don't adjust for majors.

Because ROI is highly dependent on major. I assume people are really most interested in future earnings. GMU has a higher percentage majoring in higher earning majors than, but that doesn't mean graduates earn more in any given major.

Right, and in part, that is what makes GMU > JMU. It churns out grads getting into higher paying jobs.

JMU churns out more grads that get jobs.

Anonymous wrote:
GMU = 85% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

JMU = 95% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

GMU caters to lower income, first gen, and they still do a better job with higher paying jobs.

[Anonymous]

Look, dick, I said largely CONSIDERED. I didn't say it was the reality. I'm talking about the public's perception -- and more important the perception of NOVA high school students.

You aren't wrong with this perception. If you ask students who attend- many chose to live at home and commute from NOVA after their second year because the apartments are considered extremely expensive.

It is a great school, but this is why many don't want to attend. It is still seen as a commuter school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Look, dick, I said largely CONSIDERED. I didn't say it was the reality. I'm talking about the public's perception -- and more important the perception of NOVA high school students.

You aren't wrong with this perception. If you ask students who attend- many chose to live at home and commute from NOVA after their second year because the apartments are considered extremely expensive.

It is a great school, but this is why many don't want to attend. It is still seen as a commuter school.

Sorry, that first line was a quote. it didn't transfer

[Anonymous]

Unless you’re poor, no one chooses GMU over JMU.