University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) vs James Madison University (JMU)
When it comes to higher education, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and James Madison University (JMU) stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. UMGC, a public online university, boasts an open admissions policy, making it accessible to a wide range of students. In contrast, JMU, a public research university, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, UMGC excels in online learning, with over 90% of its courses delivered online, while JMU emphasizes in-person instruction, with only 10% of its courses offered online. Additionally, UMGC has a significantly larger student body, with over 90,000 students enrolled, compared to JMU's 21,000 students. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into
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![]() James Madison University |
![]() University of Maryland Global Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Adelphi, Maryland |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
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% | 52.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.3% | Open Admission |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1140 - 1310 | N/A |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 21,176 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,265 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,767 | |
Yield rate | 26.1% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,293
Out of state:
$46,219
|
In state:
$29,702
Out of state:
$34,334
|
Average net price | $18,528 | $16,228 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,460
Out of state:
$23,800
|
In state:
$7,344
Out of state:
$11,976
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,564
Meal plan:
$5,986
|
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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 |
39.0%
Average amount $5,824 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,199 |
33.0%
Average amount $5,694 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $18,776 |
1.0%
Average amount $15,445 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
20,070
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
45,100
Men 54.4% Women 45.6% |
Graduate students |
2,096
Men 29.4% Women 70.6% |
10,223
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 61.8% |
International students | 1.4% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,513 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Maryland California New York District of Columbia Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.8% | 21.4% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 39.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 35.3% |
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)
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Business/Commerce, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Biotechnology (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
International Business (Master's Degrees)
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