It looks like JMU has and Accelerated Master of Engineering with Virginia Tech (a 4+1 program). https://www.jmu.edu/cise/engineering/academics/graduate.shtml

What are your OOS options, OP? JMU is generally viewed as a good alternative for students who didn't get into VT and want a similar type of school, especially for those interested in a football culture. This works for most majors, except engineering, where JMU's program isn't nearly as strong as VT's and likely isn't an acceptable option for those that were competitive at VT.

If your child is truly competitive for engineering at VT, there should be plenty of out-of-state options, both public and private, that offer a comparable quality education as VT. Some of these schools will offer merit scholarships that might bring the cost close to VT's in-state tuition. In my experience, my son only applied to VT in-state because UVA would have likely required an ED application to be competitive, and he preferred VT. He was waitlisted, which we had anticipated. Although it may be too late for this admissions cycle, my key point is that numerous out-of-state schools can provide an education and campus experience nearly similar to VT, and with merit, some might even have a similar price point.

JMU might be the right choice for your kid if they love the school and are okay with the program knowing that they could likely do much better. I think that JMU engineering would be a terrible decision OOS, as there are many better options.

In Virginia, Virginia Tech (VT) and the University of Virginia (UVA) are consistently ranked as top-tier engineering schools, followed by George Mason University (GMU) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), with VT generally considered the premier engineering program in the state.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Virginia Tech (VT):
Known for its strong engineering programs, particularly in traditional engineering fields, and is considered the top engineering school in Virginia.

University of Virginia (UVA):
Also known for its strong engineering programs and reputation, especially for those seeking elite connections and jobs in engineering-adjacent fields.

George Mason University (GMU):
A solid option, particularly for computer engineering and cybersecurity, and is also known for research, political science, and entrepreneurship/business programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU):
VCU is known for its biomedical engineering program, and is also a strong option for students interested in research.

Old Dominion University (ODU):
ODU is a good option for supply chain management, data science and cybersecurity

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

His concentration is Electro-Mechanical, not sure what you mean by "undifferentiated". GMU is nice but he doesn't be THAT close to home.

It's a concentration, not a major. Of course, he should go where you and he thinks best, you asked for people's opinion and I am offering one as one person who hires electrical engineers. Others may view it differently.

How weird. I hired people based on how they interview and their technical skills vs. "where they went to college". That's so 20th century.

I don’t think this is an issue with JMU as a school, but rather with their engineering program not offering specific engineering majors. Would you hire a recent graduate for a nuclear engineering job if they only had a general engineering degree? That said, I do commend you on your enlightenment.

DP. What is so significantly inferior of an engineering degree with a concentration in the appropriate field v. an engineering degree in the specific type of engineering?

Usually a concentration has fewer specialized upper level classes, or the upper level classes are more general and not as advanced/specialized. It's not the same.

If your student wants to be an engineer, they should go to a school with real engineering majors. They'll likely also have more options for undergrad research, engineering design teams, and a senior design class or thesis. I'm not familiar with the JMU program, but it sounds pretty limited.

Thank you. Your answer is very helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

His concentration is Electro-Mechanical, not sure what you mean by "undifferentiated". GMU is nice but he doesn't be THAT close to home.

It's a concentration, not a major. Of course, he should go where you and he thinks best, you asked for people's opinion and I am offering one as one person who hires electrical engineers. Others may view it differently.

How weird. I hired people based on how they interview and their technical skills vs. "where they went to college". That's so 20th century.

I don’t think this is an issue with JMU as a school, but rather with their engineering program not offering specific engineering majors. Would you hire a recent graduate for a nuclear engineering job if they only had a general engineering degree? That said, I do commend you on your enlightenment.

DP. What is so significantly inferior of an engineering degree with a concentration in the appropriate field v. an engineering degree in the specific type of engineering?

I mean, what kind of question is this? Of course, the latter is better for a first job. It probably wouldn’t matter after that.

It's a question of curiosity from a person who is not in the engineering field. Thank you for your condescending response, which does not answer the question.

Anonymous wrote:What about Marshall University or WVU for engineering? Not sure what their reputations are, but they are relatively close and have the same vibe.

The same vibe as... what?

We have this same issue and my DD was also WL at VT. Instead she’ll be going to a nearby OOS flagship where she received pretty significant merit. If it had to be instate, the next option was GMU but I can’t talk her into going so close. She didn’t even apply to JMU because I don’t think their engineering program is robust enough. Great school, just not for engineering.

What about Marshall University or WVU for engineering? Not sure what their reputations are, but they are relatively close and have the same vibe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

His concentration is Electro-Mechanical, not sure what you mean by "undifferentiated". GMU is nice but he doesn't be THAT close to home.

It's a concentration, not a major. Of course, he should go where you and he thinks best, you asked for people's opinion and I am offering one as one person who hires electrical engineers. Others may view it differently.

How weird. I hired people based on how they interview and their technical skills vs. "where they went to college". That's so 20th century.

I don’t think this is an issue with JMU as a school, but rather with their engineering program not offering specific engineering majors. Would you hire a recent graduate for a nuclear engineering job if they only had a general engineering degree? That said, I do commend you on your enlightenment.

DP. What is so significantly inferior of an engineering degree with a concentration in the appropriate field v. an engineering degree in the specific type of engineering?

I mean, what kind of question is this? Of course, the latter is better for a first job. It probably wouldn’t matter after that.

It would matter to my firm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

His concentration is Electro-Mechanical, not sure what you mean by "undifferentiated". GMU is nice but he doesn't be THAT close to home.

It's a concentration, not a major. Of course, he should go where you and he thinks best, you asked for people's opinion and I am offering one as one person who hires electrical engineers. Others may view it differently.

How weird. I hired people based on how they interview and their technical skills vs. "where they went to college". That's so 20th century.

I don’t think this is an issue with JMU as a school, but rather with their engineering program not offering specific engineering majors. Would you hire a recent graduate for a nuclear engineering job if they only had a general engineering degree? That said, I do commend you on your enlightenment.

DP. What is so significantly inferior of an engineering degree with a concentration in the appropriate field v. an engineering degree in the specific type of engineering?

I mean, what kind of question is this? Of course, the latter is better for a first job. It probably wouldn’t matter after that.

Yes it will. There are absolutely engineering jobs that will require a specific degree. Engineering is not like liberal arts where it doesn't matter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

His concentration is Electro-Mechanical, not sure what you mean by "undifferentiated". GMU is nice but he doesn't be THAT close to home.

It's a concentration, not a major. Of course, he should go where you and he thinks best, you asked for people's opinion and I am offering one as one person who hires electrical engineers. Others may view it differently.

How weird. I hired people based on how they interview and their technical skills vs. "where they went to college". That's so 20th century.

I don’t think this is an issue with JMU as a school, but rather with their engineering program not offering specific engineering majors. Would you hire a recent graduate for a nuclear engineering job if they only had a general engineering degree? That said, I do commend you on your enlightenment.

DP. What is so significantly inferior of an engineering degree with a concentration in the appropriate field v. an engineering degree in the specific type of engineering?

I mean, what kind of question is this? Of course, the latter is better for a first job. It probably wouldn’t matter after that.

My DS goes to JMU, and many of his friends are engineering majors. They all hope to transfer to VT for their junior year.

Hiring manager here. We only hire graduates with a specific degree in engineering, whether AeroE, EE, ComputerE, MechE, CivilE, or such like. We do not consider students with a “general” degree in engineering.

Maybe consider other VA publics that are ABET accredited and offer specific degrees in engineering. That would include at least (depending on which specific degree student wants) CNU, GMU, ODU, and VCU. ODU has a strong relationship with NASA, btw.

Anonymous wrote:From looking at JMUs engineering website, I appears they are trying to strengthen that major with adding co-op program, adding concentrations, &, according to USNWR its #23 without doctoral program (granted, I think usnwr is generally bs).

I think what pp are saying is that JMU doesn’t have an engineering reputation (it’s not that it’s bad; its that the rep doesn’t exist). It’s very possible with the co-op program, it might get better known by the time your child graduates or your child might get an offer from the co-op program.

I’d contact the department or look on website to see placement of recent grads. It looks like only 71 graduate w engineering/yr on average so it’s a smaller department: https://research.schev.edu/programbasics/232423/current/40/140101

It's not only about it's reputation, but about it not being a rigorous program with specialized, upper level engineering classes, undergrad research, engineering design teams, advanced lab equipment, and other advanced learning options. Don't sign up to be a guinea pig even if they envision growing the program. Go elsewhere.

From looking at JMUs engineering website, I appears they are trying to strengthen that major with adding co-op program, adding concentrations, &, according to USNWR its #23 without doctoral program (granted, I think usnwr is generally bs).

I think what pp are saying is that JMU doesn’t have an engineering reputation (it’s not that it’s bad; its that the rep doesn’t exist). It’s very possible with the co-op program, it might get better known by the time your child graduates or your child might get an offer from the co-op program.

I’d contact the department or look on website to see placement of recent grads. It looks like only 71 graduate w engineering/yr on average so it’s a smaller department: https://research.schev.edu/programbasics/232423/current/40/140101