This article will compare and contrast two prominent institutions: James Madison University (JMU) and the University of Illinois (UI). We will examine various aspects such as costs, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes between these two schools. We will then provide an in-depth comparison of their costs, admissions difficulty, academic difficulty, and outcomes.
James Madison University Overview
James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was founded in 1908 and has since grown to serve more than 22,000 students. JMU is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the arts.
James Madison University Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at JMU can expect to pay approximately $12,330 in tuition and fees per year. Out-of-state undergraduate students will need to pay around $29,230 in tuition and fees. Room and board are estimated to cost an additional $10,922 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
James Madison University Admissions
JMU has an acceptance rate of approximately 71%, making it a moderately selective institution. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement. The middle 50% SAT score range for accepted students is 1120-1290, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 23-29.
James Madison University Degrees Offered
JMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including over 70 bachelor’s degree programs, more than 40 master’s degree programs, and several doctoral programs. Popular degree programs include business, education, health sciences, social sciences, and communication arts.
James Madison University Academics
JMU is known for its strong academic programs and high-quality faculty. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, allowing for personalized attention and support for students. JMU boasts a freshman retention rate of 90%, indicating students’ satisfaction with their academic experience.
James Madison University Diversity
JMU has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and more than 80 countries. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and offers various resources and support services for students from diverse backgrounds.
James Madison University Students
The student population at JMU is made up of over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school offers a vibrant campus life with over 350 student clubs and organizations, providing ample opportunities for students to engage with their peers and explore new interests.
James Madison University Campus
JMU’s picturesque campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia, spans 721 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful green spaces, and historic architecture. The campus offers a variety of housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and theme housing, as well as numerous dining facilities.
James Madison University Alumni
Notable alumni of JMU include actress Lindsey Czarniak, CNN correspondent Sara Sidner, and Virginia Delegate Tony Wilt. JMU alumni enjoy a strong network of support, with numerous opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development.
James Madison University Rankings
JMU is ranked #2 in Regional Universities South by U.S. News & World Report, #3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #8 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
James Madison University Outcomes
JMU boasts a strong record of successful outcomes for its graduates, with an overall graduation rate of 83%. Additionally, 96% of alumni report being employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
University of Illinois Overview
The University of Illinois (UI) is a public research university located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Founded in 1867, UI is a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and diverse student body. The university serves over 47,000 students, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
University of Illinois Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at UI can expect to pay approximately $15,122 in tuition and fees per year, while out-of-state undergraduate students will need to pay around $32,264 in tuition and fees. Room and board are estimated to cost an additional $11,308 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
University of Illinois Admissions
UI has an acceptance rate of approximately 59%, making it a highly selective institution. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement. The middle 50% SAT score range for accepted students is 1220-1460, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 27-33.
University of Illinois Degrees Offered
UI offers over 150 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs across various disciplines. Popular degree programs include engineering, business, agriculture, and computer science.
University of Illinois Academics
UI is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and faculty, who are leaders in their fields. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, allowing for personalized attention and support for students. UI’s freshman retention rate is 94%, indicating students’ satisfaction with their academic experience.
University of Illinois Diversity
UI has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and offers various resources and support services for students from diverse backgrounds.
University of Illinois Students
The student population at UI is made up of over 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school offers a vibrant campus life with over 1,600 student clubs and organizations, providing ample opportunities for students to engage with their peers and explore new interests.
University of Illinois Campus
UI’s sprawling campus in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, spans 4,552 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful green spaces, and historic architecture. The campus offers a variety of housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and private certified housing, as well as numerous dining facilities.
University of Illinois Alumni
Notable alumni of UI include entrepreneur and YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, actress Nick Offerman, and Nobel laureate John Bardeen. UI alumni enjoy a strong network of support, with numerous opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development.
University of Illinois Rankings
UI is ranked #47 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, #14 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and #28 in Best Value Schools.
University of Illinois Outcomes
UI boasts a strong record of successful outcomes for its graduates, with an overall graduation rate of 84%. Additionally, 89% of alumni report being employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
James Madison University vs University of Illinois Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending JMU or UI, it is important to consider both tuition and fees as well as room and board expenses. For in-state students, UI is slightly more expensive than JMU, with tuition and fees totaling around $15,122, compared to JMU’s $12,330. Out-of-state students will also find UI to be more expensive, with tuition and fees totaling around $32,264, compared to JMU’s $29,230. Room and board expenses are relatively similar for both schools, with JMU’s estimated cost at $10,922 and UI’s at $11,308.
James Madison University vs University of Illinois Admissions Difficulty
Both JMU and UI have selective admissions processes, but UI is considered more competitive with an acceptance rate of 59%, compared to JMU’s 71%. UI also has higher average SAT and ACT scores for accepted students, with a middle 50% SAT score range of 1220-1460 and ACT range of 27-33, compared to JMU’s middle 50% SAT range of 1120-1290 and ACT range of 23-29.
James Madison University vs University of Illinois Academic Difficulty
Both JMU and UI are known for their rigorous academic programs, but UI may be considered more challenging due to the higher selectivity and ranking of its programs in fields such as engineering and business. However, both schools have strong faculty and offer personalized attention to students through relatively low student-to-faculty ratios (JMU at 16:1 and UI at 20:1).
James Madison University vs University of Illinois Outcome Comparison
Both JMU and UI have strong outcomes for their graduates, with similar overall graduation rates (JMU at 83% and UI at 84%). JMU has a slightly higher percentage of alumni reporting employment or continued education within six months of graduation (96% compared to UI’s 89%). However, it is important to consider the specific fields and industries that graduates enter, as well as the potential resources and networking opportunities available through each school’s alumni network.
