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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Wrong. But do continue spreading that trope. And btw? One can be a serious student and also enjoy having fun. Some of you see the world in a very strange black and white.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU is trash. I wouldn't send my kid there.

shots fired

No, no, all the shootings happen at UVA now.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Is the move due to GMU's engineering school, which is considered to be decent?

[Anonymous]

If we’re talking about undergrad perhaps people should concentrate on schools that are ranked the highest in undergraduate teaching.

USNWR Best Undergraduate Teaching:

#12 William & Mary

#22 James Madison University

#27 University of Virginia

George Mason and Virginia Tech didn’t even make the list.

[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.

It's given a edge in the rankings because of its size and the breadth of its graduate programs -- not because of its undergraduate programs or reputation. Its proximity to DC is actually a two-edged sword in a way: the location is convenient for commuters and for part time graduate students but a major turn off for many of the higher/highest performing high school students in the state who just want to get away from exactly where it is located.

I don't think its moved up "faster" than JMU when it comes to undergraduate education. I just think it's caught up to JMU, which was always viewed as ahead of GMU and when it comes to NOVA high school students probably still is. GMU has yet to shake its commuter school rep.

VCU has also gained in reputation in recent years and is not only par with GMU and JMU but is also viewed as more attractive by many in NOVA because it's not in Fairfax.

Personally, I'd say VCU would be the most interesting of the three to attend and GMU the least. But academically all three are in the same league.

[Anonymous]

I would think VCU has become more desirable because it is a city school. I would love for my average kid to apply but we are OOS and the numbers just don't work for us. No way we would get enough aid.

When looking at schools that aren't near the top of the rankings publics are more desirable.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's given a edge in the rankings because of its size and the breadth of its graduate programs -- not because of its undergraduate programs or reputation. Its proximity to DC is actually a two-edged sword in a way: the location is convenient for commuters and for part time graduate students but a major turn off for many of the higher/highest performing high school students in the state who just want to get away from exactly where it is located.

I don't think its moved up "faster" than JMU when it comes to undergraduate education. I just think it's caught up to JMU, which was always viewed as ahead of GMU and when it comes to NOVA high school students probably still is. GMU has yet to shake its commuter school rep.

VCU has also gained in reputation in recent years and is not only par with GMU and JMU but is also viewed as more attractive by many in NOVA because it's not in Fairfax.

Personally, I'd say VCU would be the most interesting of the three to attend and GMU the least. But academically all three are in the same league.

VCU and GMU have a huge edge over JMU because of their locations and proximity to internships. The kids who take their education a bit more seriously seem to prefer them over JMU. Unfortunately JMU has become known as only the party school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's given a edge in the rankings because of its size and the breadth of its graduate programs -- not because of its undergraduate programs or reputation. Its proximity to DC is actually a two-edged sword in a way: the location is convenient for commuters and for part time graduate students but a major turn off for many of the higher/highest performing high school students in the state who just want to get away from exactly where it is located.

I don't think its moved up "faster" than JMU when it comes to undergraduate education. I just think it's caught up to JMU, which was always viewed as ahead of GMU and when it comes to NOVA high school students probably still is. GMU has yet to shake its commuter school rep.

VCU has also gained in reputation in recent years and is not only par with GMU and JMU but is also viewed as more attractive by many in NOVA because it's not in Fairfax.

Personally, I'd say VCU would be the most interesting of the three to attend and GMU the least. But academically all three are in the same league.

VCU and GMU have a huge edge over JMU because of their locations and proximity to internships. The kids who take their education a bit more seriously seem to prefer them over JMU. Unfortunately JMU has become known as only the party school.

Your opinion is “interesting.”

Undergraduate student outcomes(Class of 2024):

VCU = 81.4% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

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

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

All of this information is readily available on each school’s website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we’re talking about undergrad perhaps people should concentrate on schools that are ranked the highest in undergraduate teaching.

USNWR Best Undergraduate Teaching:

#12 William & Mary

#22 James Madison University

#27 University of Virginia

George Mason and Virginia Tech didn’t even make the list.

OMG - the W&M booster is insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's given a edge in the rankings because of its size and the breadth of its graduate programs -- not because of its undergraduate programs or reputation. Its proximity to DC is actually a two-edged sword in a way: the location is convenient for commuters and for part time graduate students but a major turn off for many of the higher/highest performing high school students in the state who just want to get away from exactly where it is located.

I don't think its moved up "faster" than JMU when it comes to undergraduate education. I just think it's caught up to JMU, which was always viewed as ahead of GMU and when it comes to NOVA high school students probably still is. GMU has yet to shake its commuter school rep.

VCU has also gained in reputation in recent years and is not only par with GMU and JMU but is also viewed as more attractive by many in NOVA because it's not in Fairfax.

Personally, I'd say VCU would be the most interesting of the three to attend and GMU the least. But academically all three are in the same league.

VCU and GMU have a huge edge over JMU because of their locations and proximity to internships. The kids who take their education a bit more seriously seem to prefer them over JMU. Unfortunately JMU has become known as only the party school.

DP. Having had two kids recently graduate from JMU, I beg to differ. Both were serious students who worked hard for their grades and both obtained excellent summer internships - one in the DC area and the other in Chicago. Please stop spreading nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's given a edge in the rankings because of its size and the breadth of its graduate programs -- not because of its undergraduate programs or reputation. Its proximity to DC is actually a two-edged sword in a way: the location is convenient for commuters and for part time graduate students but a major turn off for many of the higher/highest performing high school students in the state who just want to get away from exactly where it is located.

I don't think its moved up "faster" than JMU when it comes to undergraduate education. I just think it's caught up to JMU, which was always viewed as ahead of GMU and when it comes to NOVA high school students probably still is. GMU has yet to shake its commuter school rep.

VCU has also gained in reputation in recent years and is not only par with GMU and JMU but is also viewed as more attractive by many in NOVA because it's not in Fairfax.

Personally, I'd say VCU would be the most interesting of the three to attend and GMU the least. But academically all three are in the same league.

VCU and GMU have a huge edge over JMU because of their locations and proximity to internships. The kids who take their education a bit more seriously seem to prefer them over JMU. Unfortunately JMU has become known as only the party school.

Your opinion is “interesting.”

Undergraduate student outcomes(Class of 2024):

VCU = 81.4% working, enrolled in continuing education or in the military

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

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

All of this information is readily available on each school’s website.

+1
The PP is the usual troll who spreads the same garbage about JMU all over this forum. Very transparent.

[Anonymous]

Why is a certain poster being all weird about JMU? Academically and especially at the undergrad level it, GMU and VCU are clearly peers and that's that.