IU or JMU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe there are 12 pages and years of arguing about whether or not JMU or IU is better.

My son applied to both, is accepted at IU and will find out tomorrow about JMU. It’s not clear to me which he should choose. Things like small differences in “rankings” don’t matter. Size doesn’t equate to excellence.

Can’t they just both be good and we settle down now?

We are in the same boat as well. I was reviewing this thread to pick up on any gems - the small differences - that would make sense for an in-state kid to attend IU and didn't really find much. While I acknowledge that IU is likely a level above JMU when it comes to quality of education and reputation, is it really large enough to be worth $100K? Salary outcomes, especially for business school, seem about the same (which is likely what's important when you are deciding on schools below below T30ish)..

None of what you “acknowledge” is necessarily accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to JMU from out of state is ridiculous. Sorry.

This. It's NOVA West also, so an extension of high school.

That sounds a lot like VT

Ummm...

[Anonymous]

Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe there are 12 pages and years of arguing about whether or not JMU or IU is better.

My son applied to both, is accepted at IU and will find out tomorrow about JMU. It’s not clear to me which he should choose. Things like small differences in “rankings” don’t matter. Size doesn’t equate to excellence.

Can’t they just both be good and we settle down now?

That's how I feel! My DD may be deciding between Penn State and JMU. She truly loves them both.

My dd was torn between PSU and JMU last year. She chose JMU and loves it. Looking back, she thinks PSU was just too big. Going to football games is important to her and at JMU she always got a ticket, walking the entire campus is possible. She’s not majoring in a top major like engineering or STEM so that wasn’t a deciding factor. She’s happy with her choice.

I will say visit both for accepted students days but remember, the sooner you put a deposit at JMU means a better housing selection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

JMU has 12% of students living in on-campus dorms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

JMU has 12% of students living in on-campus dorms.

That may be true, but off campus housing is plentiful and cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe there are 12 pages and years of arguing about whether or not JMU or IU is better.

My son applied to both, is accepted at IU and will find out tomorrow about JMU. It’s not clear to me which he should choose. Things like small differences in “rankings” don’t matter. Size doesn’t equate to excellence.

Can’t they just both be good and we settle down now?

We are in the same boat as well. I was reviewing this thread to pick up on any gems - the small differences - that would make sense for an in-state kid to attend IU and didn't really find much. While I acknowledge that IU is likely a level above JMU when it comes to quality of education and reputation, is it really large enough to be worth $100K? Salary outcomes, especially for business school, seem about the same (which is likely what's important when you are deciding on schools below below T30ish)..

None of what you “acknowledge” is necessarily accurate.

Maybe so, but my perception is my reality..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

JMU has 12% of students living in on-campus dorms.

Source?

[Anonymous]

JMU just lost 7 football players to Indiana over the holidays and a coach. IU > JMU

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2023/12/24/indiana-football-iu-adds-7-transfers-from-jmu-after-bowl-game/72020517007/

[Anonymous]

IU is a state flagship and JMU is a former women’s teachers college (Madison College). You can get a degree at either school and have a good time, but it’s not going to be the same experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

JMU has 12% of students living in on-campus dorms.

DP. Where are you getting this stat? USNWR says 32% live on campus. Definitely all freshman and many sophomores.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/james-madison-university-3721/student-life#:~:text=James%20Madison%20University%20has%20a%20total%20undergraduate%20enrollment,housing%20and%2068%25%20of%20students%20live%20off%20campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IU is a state flagship and JMU is a former women’s teachers college (Madison College). You can get a degree at either school and have a good time, but it’s not going to be the same experience.

What a completely irrelevant factoid. It has been James Madison University - coed - since 1966. Plenty of universities started out as teaching colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please bear in mind that IU does not have guaranteed campus housing for all 4 years. Your child will have housing as a freshman, but no guarantee after that. He/She will need to either pledge a sorority/fraternity where spots are limited OR move to an off campus apt/house with friends.

I am an alum. It's a great school. BIg though. I am very disappointed with what they have done with housing and decided against it for that reason for my DC. (it was too big for her too) When I went in the stone age, anyone who wanted to live on campus for all 4 years could do so.

Good Luck.

JMU has 12% of students living in on-campus dorms.

That may be true, but off campus housing is plentiful and cheap.

DP. The PP's stat is not true. 32% live on campus. But yes, off campus housing is indeed plentiful and cheap.

[Anonymous]

IU is completely a diff experience than JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IU is completely a diff experience than JMU.

I think most rational people acknowledge that. The question is, is it worth the extra $100K+