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Dylan Beach

Mrs. Pettay

ENG 111, 2B

08 December 2016

J.M.U. vs U.V.A
As the halfway point of my senior year draws near, college is on my mind. The big

problem, however, is deciding which one would be the best fit for me. To determine this, I find it

crucial to compare the different aspects of each school. These college aspects include topics such

as tuition and costs, academics and classes, post graduate opportunities, student life, sports, and

food. The two in state colleges I am looking to analyze are James Madison University in

Harrisonburg and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, for I feel both colleges fit the

criteria of what I am looking for in a college.

Tuition is a huge factor when looking at colleges. For a great deal of students entering the

realm of college, this is largest expenditure they have ever encountered. This is certainly the case

for me even though I qualify for in-state tuition at both colleges. Niche, an informative online

site about colleges, says, In-state tuition at James Madison University is roughly $10,390 per

year (James Niche). This price is quite reasonable compared to the University of Virginias

in-state tuition of $15,192 per year (UniversityNiche). By going to the James Madison

University, I would save $19,208 in tuition costs over four years. Besides the basic tuition prices

and fees, other costs that come with attending one of these two colleges include room and board,

and books and supplies. Collegedata, another informative website about colleges, explains that

the average cost of room and board at James Madison University is $9,334 and the average cost

of books is $990 (Collegedata). Once again, the University of Virginia has higher costs with
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room and board at $10,726 and books costing on average $1,296 (Collegedata). James Madison

University wins in terms of having the lower costs; however, the question is which school gives

more bang for the buck? The University of Virginia states on their website, The University was

ranked as the second best value public college by the Princeton Review (University). This gives

me the impression that the University of Virginia has a better academic reputation.

Academics is the primary reason for which I am going to college, so I feel they are truly

important to look at when comparing two colleges such as James Madison University and the

University of Virginia. Smaller classes would be a bonus I would prefer. Smaller classes would

allow for more interaction and possibly one-on-one discussion with the professor. I also feel as

though I would be able to focus more in class. U.S. News and World Reports, a website that

provides many college statistics, says, 20% of classes have fewer than 20 students (James

U.S.). This is remarkably less than the University of Virginia which has 56% of its classes

coming in at fewer than 20 students (University U.S.). The class sizes tend to correspond with

the student faculty ratio, for the University of Virginia has the larger percentage of classes under

20 students and has the better student faculty ratio as well. The student faculty ratio for the

University of Virginia is 15:1 (University Niche), and James Madison Universitys ratio is 16:1

(James Niche). Deciding on a major can be one of the most challenging aspects of college

academic life. James Madison offers 70 majors from which to choose (James U.S.). Seventy

majors is a tremendous amount; however, the University of Virginia has even more. There are

around 110 majors to choose from at the University of Virginia (University). A degree in one of

these majors at both colleges is earned by completing a required number of credit hours while

maintaining a GPA above a 2.0 (Collegedata). Not everyone is committed enough to complete

the coursework required for a degree though and that is shown through graduation rates. The
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University of Virginia has an impressive 94% graduation rate (University Niche), whereas

James Madison University's graduation rate is 82% (James Niche). This leads me to believe

that students attending the University of Virginia are more determined to complete their courses.

After earning their four year degree, many begin to seek employment. Two years after

graduating, 96% percent of James Madison Universitys students are employed (James Niche),

and 92% of the University of Virginias students are employed (University Niche). Although

fewer students are employed coming out of the University of Virginia, they do make more

money. Six years after graduation, former University of Virginia students bring in $58,600 a year

on average (University Niche). This is approximately $5,200 more a year than alumni from

James Madison University (James Niche). However, some students from both schools look to

continue their education with postgraduate options rather than jumping into the workforce.

Currently I am undecided on what exactly I want to do with the rest of my life, so there is

a chance I may look to gain a masters degree or even doctorate from college. There are a

plethora of postgraduate paths to take after the first four years at James Madison University or

the University of Virginia. James Madison Universitys website says 53 masters degrees and 8

doctoral degrees are offered (James). Students pursuing one of these degrees receive assistance

from the university as well, for 43% get their tuition covered or get stipends by helping on

campus (James). Another bonus to the James Madison University postgraduate program is that

the student faculty ratio is 2:1, which is a big improvement from the undergraduate ratio. The

University of Virginia offers many more postgraduate degrees than James Madison University.

Postgraduate programs at the University of Virginia are broken down into their own small-scale

schools such as the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the Darden School of

Business, the McIntire School of Commerce, the Curry School of Education, etc. (University).
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All these postgraduate schools offer a combined total of 82 masters degrees and 8 doctoral

degrees (University). Each college paves many academic postgraduate paths, but I am led to

believe that the University of Virginia enables many more of their students to carry on their

education due to the great variety of classes offered.

Student life is yet another topic that interests me when comparing these two schools

which are in fact less than an hour apart. The student population at each is rather large which is

appealing to me, for I would enjoy the diversity and making new friends. To be exact, there are

21, 227 students enrolled at James Madison University (James U.S.) and 23,883 students

enrolled at the University of Virginia (University U.S.). These student body populations can

the be broken down into men and women. At the University of Virginia, 44% of the student body

consists of men, and 56% is women (University U.S.). This is quite similar to James Madison

University because the student body there is made up of 41% men and 59% women (James

U.S.). These percentages are similar to those of other public colleges across the nation. In a

comparison to others around the nation, the University of Virginia was ranked 7th for college

with the best student life by Niche (University Niche). Both schools have a variety of activities

to get involved with such as student leadership, clubs, and Greek life. Involved is definitely what

I want to be during my college career. The College Board website compares schools side by side

and shows that each school has intramural and club soccer which interests me (Compare

College). Greek life is something that is interesting to many incoming students, and Greek life is

much bigger at the University of Virginia. At the University of Virginia, 30% of all students are

members of Greek life organizations (University U.S.). Only 1,500 students are involved in

Greek life at James Madison University (James U.S.). Clubs and organizations at both schools
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get a great deal of students involved; however, attending sports games is another fun way to

socialize.

Sports are another small part of college that I am interested in. I have enjoyed watching

and playing sports ever since I was little, and I would like to continue doing the watching and

rooting my team on into college. Both schools participate in the National Collegiate Athletic

Association, also known as the NCAA. Within the NCAA, the University of Virginia and James

Madison University are Division One. The University of Virginia backs their athletic programs

by providing 17 courts, fields, and recreation centers throughout their 1,682 acre campus

(University). James Madison University, on the other hand, rather than having many separate

training areas spread out, has just a few fields and one large building called UREC that contains

numerous gyms, tracks, etc. (James). One of the reasons for condensing many training facilities

into one is that James Madison University has only 785 acres and must accommodate 2,000

athletes (James). Athletic programs at both colleges are backed firmly by the university, their

students, and their fans.

Good food is something I will look forward to when attending college. Students in

college eat on and off campus; however, if looking to be economical, getting the meal plan seems

like the way to go. The meal plan prices at each school are about the same. James Madison

Universitys meal plan price is $4,748 (James Niche), and the University of Virginias meal

plan price is $4,720 (University Niche). These prices are quite reasonable for two semesters

worth of food, but the students at the University of Virginia dont rate the on campus dining

facilities as highly as James Madison Universitys students do. Only 42% of students highly

rated the University of Virginia dining facilities in a simple survey taken by Niche (University

Niche). 82% of James Madison students left high remarks on their dining facilities (James
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Niche). I can draw the conclusion that on campus food is better at James Madison University.

However, I have visited each campus before and the food was equally delicious at both schools.

James Madison University and the University of Virginia are the two schools from whom

I am excitedly awaiting the decision regarding my acceptance. However, if I was to be accepted

to both, a decision would have to be made. Each school has aspects that differentiate them from

one another. The cost of tuition at James Madison University makes that a good choice

financially, but the academic programs at the University of Virginia appeal to me more. At both

schools, there are many opportunities for involvement and expressing school pride which I find

positive. Though both are excellent schools, after analyzing the information, I currently feel that

the University of Virginia would be a better fit for me.

Works Cited

College Data. College Data, www.collegedata.com. Accessed 15 December 2016.

Compare Colleges. College Board, bigfuture.collegeboard.org/compare-colleges. Accessed 30

November 2016.

James Madison University. James Madison University, www.jmu.edu. Accessed 30 November

2016.

James Madison University. Niche, colleges.niche.com/james-madison-university/. Accessed

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30 November 2016.

James Madison University. U.S. News and World Reports,

colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/jmu. Accessed 30 November

2016.

University of Virginia. Niche, colleges.niche.com/university-of-virginia/. Accessed 30

November 2016.

University of Virginia. University of Virginia, www.virginia.edu. Accessed 30 November 2016.

University of Virginia U.S. News and World Reports,

colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/uva. Accessed 30 November

2016.