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: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.

[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.

I actually did visit with DD, but this is the perception many have of GMU. I actually don't mind GMU. I think it has some good programs. But, a lot of kids don't like GMU 1. because it's too close to the DC area 2. it doesn't have the stereotypical college experience vibe.

It still has that commuter school vibe due to in part to its location. I also went to a commuter school out west.

But, again, I think GMU punches above its weight, more so than JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Op, no offense, but how could you not know what is going on at GMU? It’s huge in Econ, engineering, computer science, game design and cyber security. It has multiple campuses including South Korea. It has an Arlington/DC campus plus the high-tech in Prince William. Please start with just reading its wiki page. GMU is now the largest R1 university in the state. It’s law school has gone - in my lifetime - from unaccredited to an astonishing T25. It stopped being a commuter college two decades ago. I served on some GMU’s advisory boards -the faculty is constantly meeting with the Dulles corridor and I270 spur (MD) companies to find out what companies seek in new employees. My kid had internships in his field each summer and had an offer from Microsoft before graduation. GMUs cyber security major is one of the top in the U.S. Those graduates write their own tickets

[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.

This was literally like 1993 to 1995. For the entire 100 years before and 30 years since, JMU hasn’t been a serious contender. It was a great marketing ploy and a few suckers bought in. But it isn’t and wasn’t even close to the same as VT in terms of name recognition or academic programs. Not even close.

This just isn't true. At least not in state. JMU was ahead of VT in the in state pecking order well into the 2000s.

No. Not really. Just in houses where the parents had gone to JMU—my guess is that is your house. Not being mean. Just being honest. Aside from Nursing, it just doesn’t rate.

See, you're just wrong.

I shouldn't even be on this board, especially the college forum. But we'll leave that for another day.

I had four kids applying to VA colleges (we're in state) from the years 1999 to 2010. In all of that time period and the few years before and after JMU was considered the tougher admit. Three of my kids threw in Tech applications like they were nothing and all three were immediately accepted. They all considered JMU to be better and more "prestigious." And so did we. None went there either, though. They ended up at UVA and W&M.

Oh, give it a rest. I'm born and raised Old Town, SSSAS class of '93, a UVA alum and a W&M JD.

JMU has NEVER been thought of as a peer to those schools. Like, Never. People called it 'Curly Fry U!" in the mid 90s because that's what it was known for. Good fries.

It is a crappy school, but it's cheap, in state and churns out 'real' degrees.

[Anonymous]

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

[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.

This was literally like 1993 to 1995. For the entire 100 years before and 30 years since, JMU hasn’t been a serious contender. It was a great marketing ploy and a few suckers bought in. But it isn’t and wasn’t even close to the same as VT in terms of name recognition or academic programs. Not even close.

This just isn't true. At least not in state. JMU was ahead of VT in the in state pecking order well into the 2000s.

No. Not really. Just in houses where the parents had gone to JMU—my guess is that is your house. Not being mean. Just being honest. Aside from Nursing, it just doesn’t rate.

See, you're just wrong.

I shouldn't even be on this board, especially the college forum. But we'll leave that for another day.

I had four kids applying to VA colleges (we're in state) from the years 1999 to 2010. In all of that time period and the few years before and after JMU was considered the tougher admit. Three of my kids threw in Tech applications like they were nothing and all three were immediately accepted. They all considered JMU to be better and more "prestigious." And so did we. None went there either, though. They ended up at UVA and W&M.

NP. That’s interesting. It doesn’t track with my experience. As a 90’s grad of a top 3 private NWDC school with all the prestige-focus that implies, VA Tech was an acceptable application and even choice to attend. JMU was not even on the radar.

Okay…so you have a data set of one. I was first gen from out of state at JMU. JMU was way more prestigious than VT. But keep at it.

[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.

This was literally like 1993 to 1995. For the entire 100 years before and 30 years since, JMU hasn’t been a serious contender. It was a great marketing ploy and a few suckers bought in. But it isn’t and wasn’t even close to the same as VT in terms of name recognition or academic programs. Not even close.

This just isn't true. At least not in state. JMU was ahead of VT in the in state pecking order well into the 2000s.

No. Not really. Just in houses where the parents had gone to JMU—my guess is that is your house. Not being mean. Just being honest. Aside from Nursing, it just doesn’t rate.

See, you're just wrong.

I shouldn't even be on this board, especially the college forum. But we'll leave that for another day.

I had four kids applying to VA colleges (we're in state) from the years 1999 to 2010. In all of that time period and the few years before and after JMU was considered the tougher admit. Three of my kids threw in Tech applications like they were nothing and all three were immediately accepted. They all considered JMU to be better and more "prestigious." And so did we. None went there either, though. They ended up at UVA and W&M.

Oh, give it a rest. I'm born and raised Old Town, SSSAS class of '93, a UVA alum and a W&M JD.

JMU has NEVER been thought of as a peer to those schools. Like, Never. People called it 'Curly Fry U!" in the mid 90s because that's what it was known for. Good fries.

It is a crappy school, but it's cheap, in state and churns out 'real' degrees.

You’re gross. And validate my impressions of SSSA.

[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.

This was literally like 1993 to 1995. For the entire 100 years before and 30 years since, JMU hasn’t been a serious contender. It was a great marketing ploy and a few suckers bought in. But it isn’t and wasn’t even close to the same as VT in terms of name recognition or academic programs. Not even close.

This just isn't true. At least not in state. JMU was ahead of VT in the in state pecking order well into the 2000s.

No. Not really. Just in houses where the parents had gone to JMU—my guess is that is your house. Not being mean. Just being honest. Aside from Nursing, it just doesn’t rate.

See, you're just wrong.

I shouldn't even be on this board, especially the college forum. But we'll leave that for another day.

I had four kids applying to VA colleges (we're in state) from the years 1999 to 2010. In all of that time period and the few years before and after JMU was considered the tougher admit. Three of my kids threw in Tech applications like they were nothing and all three were immediately accepted. They all considered JMU to be better and more "prestigious." And so did we. None went there either, though. They ended up at UVA and W&M.

NP. That’s interesting. It doesn’t track with my experience. As a 90’s grad of a top 3 private NWDC school with all the prestige-focus that implies, VA Tech was an acceptable application and even choice to attend. JMU was not even on the radar.

Okay…so you have a data set of one. I was first gen from out of state at JMU. JMU was way more prestigious than VT. But keep at it.

With that argument, you are also a dataset of one, but by all means keep on keeping on.

[Anonymous]

Gmu is still the same. Nothings changed. It’ll be up and coming for another decade.

[Anonymous]

Go VCU!

- VCU Arts grad/mom

[Anonymous]

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

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

ROI GMU > ROI JMU

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is regional? I'm from the Tidewater area, graduated in '95 and for us, JMU was above VT in terms of the class ranks of who got in, but below W&M/UVA. I remember I had to choose between W&M and JMU and I went back and forth on the decision for weeks because JMU was respected as a school but the environment was so much more fun than W&M.

[Anonymous]

Y'all need to stop taking people's opinions on your alma mater or your kids' colleges.

Shake it off

[Anonymous]

I just checked out GMU's and JMUs study abroad program.

GMU's looks more robust.

GMU also has a better ROI.

[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.

This was literally like 1993 to 1995. For the entire 100 years before and 30 years since, JMU hasn’t been a serious contender. It was a great marketing ploy and a few suckers bought in. But it isn’t and wasn’t even close to the same as VT in terms of name recognition or academic programs. Not even close.

This just isn't true. At least not in state. JMU was ahead of VT in the in state pecking order well into the 2000s.

No. Not really. Just in houses where the parents had gone to JMU—my guess is that is your house. Not being mean. Just being honest. Aside from Nursing, it just doesn’t rate.

See, you're just wrong.

I shouldn't even be on this board, especially the college forum. But we'll leave that for another day.

I had four kids applying to VA colleges (we're in state) from the years 1999 to 2010. In all of that time period and the few years before and after JMU was considered the tougher admit. Three of my kids threw in Tech applications like they were nothing and all three were immediately accepted. They all considered JMU to be better and more "prestigious." And so did we. None went there either, though. They ended up at UVA and W&M.

Oh, give it a rest. I'm born and raised Old Town, SSSAS class of '93, a UVA alum and a W&M JD.

JMU has NEVER been thought of as a peer to those schools. Like, Never. People called it 'Curly Fry U!" in the mid 90s because that's what it was known for. Good fries.

It is a crappy school, but it's cheap, in state and churns out 'real' degrees.

You’re gross. And validate my impressions of SSSA.

What's wrong? Don't like your "Curly Fry U Mom" sweatshirt?