James Madison University (JMU) vs South Dakota University
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Vermillion, South Dakota, home to James Madison University (JMU) and the University of South Dakota (USD), respectively. While both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. JMU boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while USD maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Explore their contrasting popular majors, ranging from nursing and business at JMU to education and health sciences at USD. Discover the nuances in their graduation rates, reflecting the institutions' commitment to student success. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further insights into these dynamic universities, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() James Madison University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
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 | 91.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | 1140 - 1310 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,176 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,265 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,767 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 33.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,293
Out of state:
$46,219
|
In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
|
Average net price | $18,528 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,460
Out of state:
$23,800
|
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,564
Meal plan:
$5,986
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
31.0%
Average amount $9,594 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,199 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $18,776 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
20,070
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
2,096
Men 29.4% Women 70.6% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 39.4% |
International students | 1.4% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.8% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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