Forum Index
»
College and University Discussion
GMU Leaps 34 Spots Ahead of JMU in 2026 Rankings, Even VCU Now Higher
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I am honestly shocked. In the 1990s, GMU and VCU were seen as Virginia’s "backup" schools, while JMU was the respected middle-tier option that always just missed UVA or William & Mary. But things have completely changed.
In the 2026 U.S. News rankings, GMU has leaped 34 spots ahead of JMU, and even VCU now ranks higher. GMU has also closed the gap with Virginia Tech and William & Mary in the Top Public Schools category. Here are the 2026 rankings: University of Virginia (UVA) #26 in National Universities (tie) #4 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/uva-6968 Virginia Tech (VT) #51 in National Universities (tie) #21 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/virginia-tech-3754 William & Mary (W&M) #51 in National Universities (tie) #21 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/william-and-mary-3705 George Mason University (GMU) #117 in National Universities (tie) #57 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/gmu-3749 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) #139 in National Universities (tie) #72 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university-3735 James Madison University (JMU) #151 in National Universities (tie) #79 in Top Public Schools (tie) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/james-madison-university-3721 That is a 34 place gap between GMU and JMU nationally, and even VCU has pulled ahead. GMU now sits only 36 spots behind Virginia Tech and William & Mary in Top Public Schools. The tables have turned. The schools once seen as safeties have climbed into serious national contention, while JMU, once nearly in the same breath as UVA and W&M, has slipped significantly. What happened to JMU’s momentum? Did GMU and VCU simply outgrow it, or did JMU stop evolving while the rest of Virginia’s universities surged ahead? |
Anonymous
| Wow. Not one VA public in the top 25 |
Anonymous
| The ranking criteria changed. The schools are basically the same as they have always been. Some schools benefit from the change while others did not. For example, W&M ranked lower than they should be and GMU ranked higher than they should be due to changing criteria, nothing more nothing less. |
Anonymous
| More obsession and hand wringing over rAnKiNgS. Peak DCUM. |
Anonymous
| Gmu is a great school and prioritizes education for all. It has a 90% acceptance rate compared to JMU's acceptance rate of 69%. Anecdotally, I know of several nova public kids who were great students and were very surprised not to get into JMU last cycle. |
Anonymous
| VCU has more diversity. |
Anonymous
Really? Wow is your response to that. UVA is 26, which isn’t meaningfully different than top 25. And there are only 3 public schools in the top 25, and you are surprised that none of the Virginia schools are there? |
Anonymous
| GMU is a great school. It’s too big and too “in my backyard” for DC or it would be high on the list. It’s still in consideration though. |
Anonymous
+1. If you just look at publics, there are three VA schools in the top 25, including UVA at #4. |
Anonymous
LOL. Not one state public outside of 48 states in the top 25 you mean. |
Anonymous
This is the 3rd or 4th year that JMU is ranked as a "national" university. Historically classified as a southern regional school. It'll be fine. |
Anonymous
|
Methodology change does not equal better/different quality of school
(And we are considering GMU, VCU and JMU so I’m not throwing shade) |
Anonymous
| I don't know what the new criteria is but anecdotally, JMU is becoming viewed as more of the school for kids who prefer to drink and party than lock in on their studies. |
Anonymous
Wait that's a new perception? That was the way it was seen >20 years ago when I was applying to schools. |
Anonymous
OF public schools. |