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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university located in Fairfax, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It has moderately selective admissions, with the acceptance rate of GMU being about 89%. It is a large school with approximately 26,000 undergraduate students. Some of the most sought-after programs at GMU are Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Professions, and Public Policy. The six-year graduation rate is around 71%, while median earnings for alumni ten years after graduation is around INR 46,00,000 or USD 55,000.
James Madison University (JMU) is a public university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Admissions are fairly competitive, with the acceptance rate at JMU being approximately 76%. It is a big university with approximately 22,800 undergraduate students. The most sought-after programs at JMU are Business, Health Sciences, Education, Psychology, and Communication. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 83%, while alumni cite median earnings of approximately INR 40,00,000 or USD 48,500 ten years after graduation.
| George Mason University | James Madison University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.7 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 951 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 1908 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 124 US News 2024 # 2083 US News 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -101 PG Programs -75 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -56 PG Programs -25 Doctorate Programs -8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 88.8 % | 76.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-110 IELTS-7 PTE-67 SAT-1100 TOEFL-88 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1100 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 41190 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 45360 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15725 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 23650 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 22158 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 25364 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Average Salaries are listed below:
| 95% of the bachelors program students and 98% of the graduate program students find employment after graduation. The average salary of the bachelor program was around $51,900 and for graduate program it was $63,200. |
| application requirements | Completed online application and application fee. ... Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficieny scores Submitting exam scores is optional Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 301 for Accounting by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 108 for Public Policy by US News 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 67/90TOEFL - 80/120 | Duolingo - 105/160GMAT - 500/800GRE - 310/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -45360 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -22158 |
| application dates | Feb 1, 2025 (Fall Priority Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) May 1, 2025 (Fall Standard Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | May 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2024 Intake) Oct 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Feb 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | George Mason University | James Madison University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1949 | 1908 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 41% Male, 59% Female |
| Location Facts | With campuses and sites reaching across Virginia and beyond, George Mason University has a sizable regional presence and a global reach. University campuses are Fairfax campus (main), Mason Square, Science and Technology campus and a campus in Korea. | James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The campus is divided into five parts: Bluestone, Hillside, Lakeside, Skyline, and the Village. |
| Library |
| The university has four libraries. Rose Library is on East Campus, and it has STEM and business books. Carrier Library is near the quad, and has humanities books, including Special Collections (our rare, fragile, or JMU-related books). The Music Library is in the basement of the Music Building, and it has sheet music and audio material. The Educational Technology & Media Center (ETMC) is located in Memorial Hall and has children's and education-related books. |
| Campus Life |
| The school has 35 residence halls, ten of which serve as sorority houses. While most residence halls are only for housing, several halls also provide auxiliary services like computer labs and study lounges.All freshmen must live on campus, and a large portion of JMU's on-campus housing is set aside for incoming students. James Madison University has over 350 clubs and organizations for students to choose from. This growing list of involvement opportunities provides students with unique experiences that will help them to grow in community and engagement outside of the classroom. The JMU Student Government Association (SGA) was founded in 1915 and stood as the first organization on campus. Their goal was to become an organization whose role was to be the voice for the JMU student population and advocate on behalf of the students to the administration and the rest of the community. JMU is home to nine a cappella ensembles: four all-female, three all-male, and two co-educational groups. They are nationally recognized, with many of them featured on the Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) yearly compilation albums. The JMU Men's and Women's Club Soccer Teams are two of the most decorated club organizations in JMU school history. James Madison University's athletic teams are known as the "Dukes." |
| Hostel | #Food and Housing - $15725 | #On campus - $10112 #Off campus (not with family) - $10112 #Off campus (with family) - $5140 |
| Famous Alumni |
| Odicci Alexander, softball player Steve Arhancet - CEO and co-owner Team Liquid, Liquid Media, & 1UP Studios |
| City Life |
| Harrisonburg, Virginia is a vibrant and picturesque city located in the Shenandoah Valley. This charming community of just over 54,000 residents offers an ideal mix of rural charm and modern amenities. Residents can explore the area's many parks and trails for outdoor recreation or take advantage of excellent shopping centers and attractions. The city also boasts excellent schools, health care options and services, making it a great place to call home. With something for everyone to enjoy, Harrisonburg is the perfect place to relax and explore. |
| Weather |
George Mason University vs James Madison University
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Virginia, is strong in Economics, Law, Public Policy, Computer Science, and Business. In QS World University Rankings 2026, GMU ranks approximately 650–700, and in THE World University Rankings 2025, it is ranked in the 401–500 group. James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has a good reputation for Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Computer Science. JMU is not listed in international QS or THE rankings, indicating a regionally based reputation. GMU has a better global profile because of research work and its location near Washington, D.C.
General Information
GMU was established in 1957 and has approximately 39,000 students, a suburban campus near Washington, D.C., with a high level of government, policy, and international organization connections. JMU, founded in 1908, has approximately 23,000 students and is situated in a small college town, offering a classic liberal arts setting with an emphasis on undergraduate education. GMU is focused on research, policy, and graduate studies, whereas JMU provides a solid undergraduate experience with emphases in business, health, and education.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
GMU is moderately selective in its acceptance rate, at around 89%, and accepts students with average GPAs of around 3.5 and SAT scores of 1130–1320. JMU is more selective considering its size, at an acceptance rate of around 83%, accepting students with average GPAs of around 3.7 and SAT scores of 1150–1330. GMU offers greater accessibility to graduate and professional degrees, whereas JMU focuses on academics for undergraduate degrees.
Research Impact & Facilities
GMU is an R1 research university, with distinction in the Schar School of Policy and Government, cybersecurity studies, and economics. Its location near Washington, D.C., maximizes research in public policy, government, and law. JMU is R2, with excellent applied research in business, education, and health sciences, though smaller than GMU's research output and funding. GMU has a better research infrastructure and global exposure.
Cost & Financial Aid
The cost of tuition at GMU is around $13,000 annually for in-state students and $34,000 for out-of-state/international students. JMU costs a little less, at around $12,700 for in-state and $33,000 for out-of-state/international students. Both schools offer merit- and need-based scholarships, with GMU offering more graduate and international student options, and JMU concentrating on undergraduate merit aid.
Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes
GMU graduates usually hold jobs in government, policy, business, computer science, and law, earning mid-career salaries of $80,000 (INR 66 lakh). JMU graduates are well known in business, education, healthcare, and IT, with mid-career pay of around $75,000 (INR 62 lakh). GMU graduates enjoy robust networks in the Washington, D.C., metro region and policy-related industries, while JMU graduates enjoy a robust regional network, especially in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic.
