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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
James Madison University (JMU) is a public university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, situated in the Shenandoah Valley. Admissions are moderately competitive, with JMU’s acceptance rate around 76%. It is a large institution with about 22,800 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at JMU include Business, Health Sciences, Education, Psychology, and Communication. The six-year graduation rate is about 83%, and alumni report median earnings of approximately INR 40,00,000 or USD 48,500 a decade after graduation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Admissions are highly selective, with UNC’s acceptance rate around 19%. It is a large institution with about 20,885 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at UNC include Biology, Psychology, Media and Journalism, Business Administration, and Exercise and Sport Science. The six-year graduation rate is about 88%, and alumni report median earnings of around INR 72,00,000 or USD 86,000 a decade after graduation.
| James Madison University | University of North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 6.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1908 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 124 US News 2024 # 2083 US News 2024 | # 78 Times Higher Education 2026 # 140 QS World University 2026 # 40 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -56 PG Programs -25 Doctorate Programs -8 | UG Programs -67 PG Programs -73 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76.0 % | 19.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1100 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-7 SAT-1270 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 23650 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 22158 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 25364 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 36972 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 16650 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 26516 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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. | The average salary for graduates is around $49,952. Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: PhD : $125,000 MBA: $120,000 Bachelor of Science: $90,000 Master (Other): $85,000 Bachelor of Arts: $73,000 Executive MBA: $61,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficieny scores Submitting exam scores is optional Check program specific requirements | Letter of Recommendation Program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 108 for Public Policy by US News 2025 | # 28 for Business by US News 2025 # 75 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 124 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160GMAT - 500/800GRE - 310/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -22158 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -38459 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | 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) | Mar 11, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Oct 10, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | James Madison University | University of North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1908 | 1795 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
| Male:Female | 41% Male, 59% Female | 43% Male, 57% Female |
| Location Facts | James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The campus is divided into five parts: Bluestone, Hillside, Lakeside, Skyline, and the Village. | UNC-Chapel Hill's 729-acre campus is dominated by two central quads: Polk Place and McCorkle Place. The university's campus is informally divided into three regions, usually referred to as "north campus," "middle campus," and "south campus." |
| 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. | University has five libraries at different locations. Library has following resources Book: 6,702,297 |
| 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." | The university provides the students an immersive experience as they can get involved in various campus activities like joining clubs and activities, attend workshops, join sports facilities etc. Students get the opportunity to explore various interests according to their choices. University provides various on campus facilities and also dining facilities. Health and mental counselling services are also available. Sports like basketball, rugby, swimming are played on campus. There are also various indoor facilities available for gymming and indoor sports. University is famous for its basketball team. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $10112 #Off campus (not with family) - $10112 #Off campus (with family) - $5140 | #On campus - $11556 #Off campus (not with family) - $11556 #Off campus (with family) - $3404 |
| Famous Alumni | Odicci Alexander, softball player Steve Arhancet - CEO and co-owner Team Liquid, Liquid Media, & 1UP Studios | James K. Polk served as the 11th President of the United States William R. King was the thirteenth Vice President of the United States. Civil War historian and writer Shelby Foote, Jason Kilar, former CEO of Hulu ; Paul Kolton, chairman of the American Stock Exchange; |
| 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. | Offering its residents a great mixture of urban and suburban living, Chapel Hill is often regarded as a good place to live that has tons of delicious new restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and well-maintained public parks that everyone will love. As part of Research Triangle Park which is anchored by Chapel Hill and the neighboring cities of Raleigh and Durham, Chapel Hill has made a name for itself as a city of business and industry as more and more large companies, technology firms, government agencies, startups, and nonprofits move to the area. As a center of innovation and a gathering place for professionals, living in Chapel Hill provides its residents with a lifestyle that easily balances work and play while remaining close to the two large metropolitan areas of Raleigh and Durham. With a growing population of over 66,000 people, Chapel Hill is not only a great place to raise a family, but it has become a hotspot for college students, young professionals, and couples for its thriving nightlife scene and entertainment options. With a current cost of living that is 8% higher than the national average, the prices in Chapel Hill are up 1.5% from a year ago. Even though living in Chapel Hill is by no means the most expensive, the city happens to be 15.6% more expensive than living in Raleigh. With the largest price increases found in transportation, housing, and food, the cost of basic living expenses in Chapel Hill only seems to be on the rise. While a lot of people moving to Chapel Hill seem to be relocating from the northeast and the west coast in search of a cheaper area, Chapel Hill remains to be a great option even though the prices and cost of living are higher than what residents would prefer. |
| Weather |
James Madison University vs University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
James Madison University (JMU), Harrisonburg, Virginia, enjoys high reputations for Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Computer Science. JMU does not show in world QS or THE rankings, indicating a largely regional reputation. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is internationally ranked for Public Health, Medicine, Business, Law, and Social Sciences. UNC is ranked approximately 90 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and in the 101–125 group in THE World University Rankings 2025, which renders it considerably more prominent in its international profile than that of JMU.
General Information
JMU, established in 1908, has around 23,000 students and provides a traditional college-town experience with a focus on undergraduate education. UNC, founded in 1789, has approximately 31,000 students, providing a big research university atmosphere with excellent graduate programs, professional schools, and ample research facilities. JMU emphasizes individualized education and local impact, whereas UNC marries global research visibility with robust campus culture.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
JMU has an acceptance rate of approximately 83%, accepting students whose average GPAs are around 3.7 and SAT scores range from 1150–1330. UNC is more selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 20–22%, admitting students whose average GPAs are around 4.0 and SAT scores range from 1320–1510. JMU is more open to undergraduate students, whereas UNC receives highly competitive applicants, particularly for business, medicine, and health sciences courses.
Research Impact & Facilities
JMU is an R2 research university with an emphasis on applied research in health sciences, education, and business. UNC is an R1 research university with premier facilities in medicine, public health, social sciences, and business. UNC's research collaborations, particularly in biomedical sciences and public policy, place it far ahead of JMU in terms of global reach and funding.
Cost & Financial Aid
JMU costs approximately $12,700 annually for in-state and $33,000 for out-of-state/international students. UNC costs approximately $9,100 for in-state and $36,000 for out-of-state/international students. Both institutions have merit- and need-based scholarships, but UNC has more competitive financial aid for high-achieving students and research-based scholarships, whereas JMU focuses on merit awards for undergraduate studies.
Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes
JMU alumni are well represented in business, education, healthcare, and IT, with mid-career compensation of about $75,000 (INR 62 lakh). UNC alumni are very influential in healthcare, law, business, research, and public policy, with mid-career compensation of about $95,000 (INR 78.5 lakh). JMU graduates have good regional reach, especially in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, whereas UNC alumni enjoy national and international networks, particularly in professional and research areas.
