When considering college options, students often compare schools to find the best fit for their academic, financial, and social needs. In this article, we will compare two popular schools: James Madison University (JMU) and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). We will provide an overview of each school, discuss costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus facilities, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
JMU Overview
James Madison University, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a public research university founded in 1908. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 19,000 students and offers a wide range of academic programs across its seven colleges. JMU is known for its strong focus on undergraduate research, experiential learning, and a vibrant campus community.
JMU Costs & Tuition
Tuition and fees for in-state students at JMU for the 2021-2022 academic year are $12,330, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $30,800. The average cost of room and board is $10,108. JMU offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
JMU Admissions
JMU’s acceptance rate is around 71%, making it a moderately selective school. Applicants are evaluated based on their high school GPA, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), extracurricular activities, and personal statement. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1120 and 1290 and an ACT score between 23 and 28.
JMU Degrees Offered
James Madison University offers more than 120 undergraduate degree programs across its seven colleges: the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, the College of Integrated Science and Engineering, the College of Science and Mathematics, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
JMU Academics
At JMU, students can expect a faculty-focused learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. The university emphasizes undergraduate research, with many students participating in research projects alongside faculty members. JMU also offers study abroad opportunities, internships, and experiential learning programs to enhance students’ academic experience.
JMU Diversity
James Madison University has a diverse student body, with students representing various ethnic backgrounds, religions, and nationalities. The university is committed to promoting an inclusive environment and offers numerous programs and resources to support students from all backgrounds.
JMU Students
JMU students are known for their school spirit and involvement in campus life. There are over 350 student organizations, including clubs, sports teams, and Greek life. Campus events such as “Purple Out” games, Homecoming, and “Madipalooza” contribute to the vibrant campus community.
JMU Campus
The JMU campus covers 721 acres and features a mix of modern and historic buildings. The university’s facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, recreation centers, and a performing arts center. Additionally, the campus is surrounded by the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, offering numerous outdoor recreational opportunities.
JMU Alumni
James Madison University has a strong alumni network, with over 140,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include actress and comedian Beth Littleford, country musician Phil Vassar, and cybersecurity expert Chris Krebs.
JMU Rankings
JMU consistently ranks highly in various college rankings. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, JMU placed #3 in Regional Universities South and #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching among regional universities.
JMU Outcomes
Graduates of James Madison University have a solid track record of success. According to the university, 92% of the Class of 2020 were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. JMU alumni also report high levels of satisfaction with their education, with 93% stating they are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate experience.
Ole Miss Overview
The University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, is a public research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1848, Ole Miss is the state’s flagship university and has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 18,000 students. The university offers a variety of academic programs across its six colleges and schools and is known for its strong programs in liberal arts, business, and health professions.
Ole Miss Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition and fees for in-state students at Ole Miss are $8,828, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $25,100. The average cost of room and board is $11,350. The university offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Ole Miss Admissions
Ole Miss has an acceptance rate of approximately 88%, making it a somewhat selective institution. Applicants are evaluated based on high school GPA, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), extracurricular activities, and personal statement. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1060 and 1240 and an ACT score between 21 and 28.
Ole Miss Degrees Offered
The University of Mississippi offers over 100 undergraduate degree programs through its six colleges and schools: the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Business Administration, the School of Education, the School of Engineering, the School of Journalism and New Media, and the School of Applied Sciences.
Ole Miss Academics
Ole Miss provides a student-focused learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. The university emphasizes research opportunities for undergraduates, with many students participating in research projects and presenting their findings at national conferences. Additionally, Ole Miss offers study abroad programs, internships, and service-learning opportunities to enhance students’ academic experience.
Ole Miss Diversity
The University of Mississippi is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community. Students at Ole Miss represent various ethnic backgrounds, religions, and nationalities. The university offers numerous programs and resources to support students from all backgrounds and promote a culture of inclusion.
Ole Miss Students
Student life at Ole Miss is characterized by a strong sense of school spirit and involvement in campus activities. There are over 350 student organizations, including clubs, sports teams, and Greek life. Popular campus events include football games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the annual “Grove Bowl,” and the “Square Jam” basketball event.
Ole Miss Campus
The Ole Miss campus spans 3,500 acres and features a mix of historic and contemporary architecture. The university’s facilities include modern classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, recreation centers, and a performing arts center. The campus is also home to the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses, which showcase the rich history of the region.
Ole Miss Alumni
Notable alumni of the University of Mississippi include author William Faulkner, journalist Shepard Smith, and former NFL player and coach Archie Manning. The Ole Miss alumni network is strong, with over 130,000 alumni worldwide.
Ole Miss Rankings
In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Ole Miss placed #104 in National Universities and #46 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks highly for its online programs, with its online MBA program ranked #4 nationally.
Ole Miss Outcome
Graduates of the University of Mississippi have a strong track record of success. According to the university, 89% of the Class of 2019 were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. Ole Miss alumni also report high levels of satisfaction with their education, with 90% stating they are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate experience.
JMU vs Ole Miss Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending JMU and Ole Miss, it is important to consider both tuition and fees as well as room and board expenses. For in-state students, JMU’s tuition and fees are $12,330, while Ole Miss’s tuition and fees are $8,828. For out-of-state students, JMU’s tuition and fees are $30,800, compared to Ole Miss’s tuition and fees of $25,100. The average cost of room and board is also slightly higher at Ole Miss, with an average cost of $11,350 compared to JMU’s $10,108. Both universities offer various financial aid options to help offset these costs.
JMU vs Ole Miss Cost Admissions Difficulty
While both JMU and Ole Miss are moderately selective schools, JMU has a slightly lower acceptance rate at 71% compared to Ole Miss’s 88% acceptance rate. The middle 50% of admitted students at both schools have similar standardized test scores, with JMU’s SAT scores ranging from 1120 to 1290 and Ole Miss’s SAT scores ranging from 1060 to 1240. The middle 50% of ACT scores are also similar, with JMU’s ranging from 23 to 28 and Ole Miss’s ranging from 21 to 28. Both schools consider high school GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements in their admissions processes.
JMU vs Ole Miss Cost Academic Difficulty
Both JMU and Ole Miss offer challenging academic programs and opportunities for undergraduate research and experiential learning. The student-faculty ratio at JMU is 16:1, slightly lower than Ole Miss’s ratio of 18:1, indicating a more individualized learning environment at JMU. Both schools emphasize undergraduate research and offer study abroad programs, internships, and service-learning opportunities to enhance students’ academic experience.
JMU vs Ole Miss Cost Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both JMU and Ole Miss have strong post-graduation outcomes. JMU reports that 92% of its Class of 2020 were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, while Ole Miss reports 89% of its Class of 2019 within the same timeframe. Both schools have strong alumni networks and high levels of satisfaction among their graduates, with 93% of JMU alumni and 90% of Ole Miss alumni stating they are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate experience.
