The decision-making when it comes to choosing between two or more things could be tricky. Ever been caught in that situation where you are just trying to pick the best out of many options so as not to make a mistake that you would regret or just to make sure you choose the right fit? I think that should be a yes! It also happens in life-changing decisions like career paths and most importantly where to also have that career pursuit come to reality. We are most times caught up in choosing between two or more universities to choose from, today we are going to compare two institutions which are Virginia Tech and James Madison University, both United States-based.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public Land-grant research institute that was founded in 1872, June 20. It was formerly known as the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University which its main campus located in Blacksburg, Virginia United States. It has a landmass of 2300 acres, it has other campuses namely Abingdon, Hampton Roads, Punta Cana, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia. This institution has notable Alumni such as Michael Vick ( famous American Footballer), Bruce Smith ( American football player), Jaymas Mays ( Actor, Singer), and Ben Camarda ( Astronaut and Aerospace engineering).
Top rankings of the Virginia Tech
- Second best in 2022 Best College Food in America.
- Number one in The 10 Best Paleontology Graduate Programs for 2019.
- Number one in 2022 Softball Standings.
- Number one in The Top 10 Undergraduate Architecture Schools in the US.
Courses and programs;
This institution offers over 380 graduate and undergraduate programs. It offers 116 courses and 269 Masters and Doctoral degree programs. Below are the academic programs offered by Virginia Tech institute are;
- Graduate School College of Engineering
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Architecture and Urban Studies
- College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
- College of Science
- Pamplin College of Business
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Natural Resources and Environment
- Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
The top 5 majors in this institution
- Management science
- Mechanical engineering
- Computer and information sciences
- Biology/biological sciences
- Finance
Tuition fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
Virginia Tech institute has a discount for in-state students. It’s cost about 43,000 dollars for out-state students while an in-state student cost about 25,000 dollars. This amount covers tuition fees, book supplies, accommodation, and other expenses for both out and in-state students. This institution has room for financial aid programs.
Admission process and acceptance rate;
As of the year 2020, the Virginia Tech institute had an acceptance rate of 65.8% and early acceptance of 77%, it also has a graduation rate of 84%. Admission requirements of the Virginia Tech Institute for first-year students are;
- Application fee of 60 dollars for domestic students and 70 dollars for international students
- Grade point average of 3.7 – above and SAT of 1160-1340
- A total sum of 18 units in high school coursework
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of math ( Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry)
- 2 units of laboratory work ( physics, chemistry, and biology)
- 2 units of which History is mandatory
- 4 elective unit courses
- 3 units of a foreign language
- Transcript for foreign students while Self Reported Academic Record (SRAR ) if you have attended high school in the United States.
- Letter of recommendation
Population
This institution has about 30,020 enrolled undergraduates as of the 2020 fall. The population percent of this school is 57% male and 43% female. 28% live on campus while 72% live off-campus.
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public research university that was founded in the year 1908 February 29 as the state normals mad industrial school for women which was now later changed to its current name in honor of the United States former President James Madison in 1977. It’s located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This institution has a landmass of 721 acres. Popular Alumni from this University; are Christiana Tosi ( Television personality and CEO of Milk bar), Jim Acosta ( American Broadcast Journalist and a domestic correspondent for CNN), Glennon Doyle Melton ( American Author and Activist), and many more others.
Top rankings of James Madison University
- Number one best in safety The Best Safety Schools: College Fallback Options
- Number one in Top 10 Best Undergrad Programs that Allow You to Design Your Own Major
- 25 Best Schools for Healthcare Administration for 2021
- Second best in 25 Best Intelligence Analysis Bachelor’s
- Second best in Best Master’s Degrees in Speech Pathology Rankings Details
Courses and programs
James Madison University offers about 130-degree programs a total of 48 undergraduate courses, with 45 as majors and 21 fields of study. The college that James Madison University have are;
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- College of Science and Math
- College of Integrated Science and Engineering
- College of Health and Behavioral Studies
- College of Education
- College of Integrated Science and Engineering
- College of Business
The top majors offered by this institution include
- Community health services/liaison/counseling speech communication and rhetoric
- Liberal arts and sciences/liberal studies
- Psychology
- Registered nursing/registered nurse
- Biology/biological sciences
Tuition fees
James Madison University also has a discount for in-state students. The tuition costs about 29,000 dollars for an in-state student then 47,000 dollars as of the 2021-2022 academic session for out-state students inclusive of tuition fees, books, loan fees, accommodation, meals, and internet connection for both parties. Financial aid and student debt loans are also available in this institution.
Admission process and acceptance rate
This institution has an acceptance rate of 80% and early acceptance of 77.4% and a graduation rate of 83%. Admission requirements for this institution include;
- Application fee of 70 dollars
- High school transcript
- List of high school courses and results
- Letter recommendation
- Personal statement
- James Madison University does not require standardized tests such as the ACT or SAT as
- Grade point average of about 3.6- above.
Population
James Madison University had about 21,496 undergraduates and graduates enrolled in 2021. With a ratio of 42% for the male and 58% for the female total population.
These two institutions are great places for study, both of them are located in Virginia, having a similar range of tuition fees, acceptance rates, and also admission requirements. Each has its rankings in different categories, choosing from this two would be on the factor of their top majors and place of interest because there have similar requirements and features. After knowing all the factors needed to be put in place to be in these institutions, your be choice should be on tbs basis of the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1). Is Virginia Tech University and James Madison University the same institutions?
No, they are completely different institutions located in different places in Virginia. They might have a few similarities in their tuition fees but are individually different.
2). Even with the discount for in-state students’ school fees, see they still given the other financial aid?
Yes, there is a discount for in-state students which resulted in the sum of the tuition fee stated in the article above and there is the financial offer still financial aid.
3). Are both institutions open to foreign students?
Yes, both institutions are open to international students.
