Clemson University vs James Madison University (JMU)

Clemson University and James Madison University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clemson, nestled in the vibrant city of Clemson, South Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process. In contrast, James Madison University, located in the historic town of Harrisonburg, Virginia, offers a more accessible admissions process with a higher acceptance rate. While Clemson's student body is predominantly White, James Madison University's student population is more diverse, reflecting a broader range of backgrounds and perspectives. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal academic environment for your educational journey.

	Clemson University	James Madison University
Overview
Location	Clemson, South Carolina	Harrisonburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	49.2%	86.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $80	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1220 - 1420	1140 - 1310
ACT range	27 - 32	24 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	47,007	21,176
Total number of admissions given out	23,138	18,265
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,593	4,767
Yield rate	19.9%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,164 Out of state: $57,156	In state: $29,293 Out of state: $46,219
Average net price	$23,732	$18,528
Tuition	In state: $14,118 Out of state: $37,110	In state: $7,460 Out of state: $23,800
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,808 Meal plan: $4,426	Room/dormitory: $5,564 Meal plan: $5,986
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $9,699	31.0% Average amount $9,594
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,281	33.0% Average amount $5,199
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,664	8.0% Average amount $18,776

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,653 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	20,070 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Graduate students	5,688 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	2,096 Men 29.4% Women 70.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	48.4%	N/A
International students	4.8%	1.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,800	6,513
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Health Professions Agriculture	Health Professions Business Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	85.5%	81.8%
Dropout rate	2.3%	17.4%
Transferred out	11.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,776 Year 2: $90,762 Year 3: $98,373 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,762 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $82,921 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,898 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $80,104 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,368 Year 2: $74,721 Year 3: $78,362 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,182 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $76,236 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,048 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,070 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,632 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $74,017 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,398 Year 2: $66,673 Year 3: $73,905 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,136 Year 2: $66,206 Year 3: $73,720 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,228 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,643	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,893 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $116,887 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,590 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $105,768 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,457 Year 2: $72,659 Year 3: $85,951 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,020 Year 2: $72,290 Year 3: $82,877 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,544 Year 2: $67,380 Year 3: $80,406 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,052 Year 2: $66,377 Year 3: $77,982 Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,389 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $75,407 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,331 Year 2: $49,270 Year 3: $69,797 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,114 Year 2: $57,943 Year 3: $69,218 International Business (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,708 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $68,304

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Clemson University and James Madison University?

Clemson University, located in South Carolina, is a large, public, land-grant research university known for its strong engineering, science, and agriculture programs. It has a more prominent focus on research and graduate studies. James Madison University (JMU), situated in Virginia, is a mid-sized, public university with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and a reputation for its programs in business, education, and health sciences. JMU is known for its vibrant campus life and strong sense of community.
Which university is larger, Clemson or JMU?

Clemson University is significantly larger than James Madison University. Clemson has a larger student body, typically enrolling around 28,000 students, while JMU's enrollment is closer to 22,000. This difference in size can impact class sizes, campus atmosphere, and the availability of resources.
How do the academic reputations of Clemson and JMU compare?

Clemson University is recognized as a Research 1 (R1) university, indicating very high research activity. It excels in engineering, science, and technology fields. James Madison University is highly regarded for its undergraduate programs, particularly in business, education, and health professions. While JMU also supports research, its primary focus is on providing a high-quality undergraduate experience.
What is the campus environment like at Clemson versus JMU?

Clemson's campus has a more traditional, Southern college town feel, with a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football. It's located in a more rural setting. JMU's campus is known for its beautiful architecture and vibrant student life. It fosters a strong sense of community and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. Harrisonburg, where JMU is located, offers a blend of college town atmosphere and access to outdoor recreation in the Shenandoah Valley.
How do the costs of attending Clemson and JMU compare?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, Clemson and JMU have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at Clemson may be slightly higher. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as information on financial aid and scholarships.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Clemson University is generally considered to have a stronger and more comprehensive engineering program than James Madison University. Clemson's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences is highly ranked and offers a wide range of engineering disciplines. While JMU offers engineering programs, they are typically smaller and more focused.
Which university is better for business programs?

Both Clemson and JMU have reputable business programs. Clemson's Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business is well-regarded and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. JMU's College of Business is also highly respected, particularly for its undergraduate programs and its focus on experiential learning. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests and career goals within the field of business.
What are the athletic programs like at Clemson and JMU?

Clemson University is a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a nationally recognized athletic program, particularly in football. JMU is a member of the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. While JMU has a strong athletic program, it doesn't have the same level of national prominence as Clemson's, especially in football. Both schools offer a variety of varsity sports and opportunities for student involvement in athletics.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Clemson and JMU?

Both Clemson and JMU offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. Clemson's location in South Carolina provides opportunities for internships and jobs in the Southeast region, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and agriculture. JMU's location in Virginia offers access to opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region, including government, technology, and business sectors. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their job search.
How do the surrounding cities of Clemson and Harrisonburg compare?

Clemson, South Carolina, is a smaller, more traditional college town with a focus on the university. It offers a more relaxed and close-knit community. Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a larger city with a more diverse population and a wider range of cultural and recreational activities. It's located in the Shenandoah Valley, providing access to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. The choice depends on whether you prefer a smaller, more college-centric environment or a larger city with more diverse offerings.

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