James Madison University

I was wondering how JMU is perceived by companies. I want to major in finance I am just worried about job placement and if I will have trouble getting a job out of school.

James Madison is on the rise. I know a couple of accounting majors from there who are gainfully employed by good companies.

JMU generally and the business school specifically are very well known in VA and the DC metropolitan area. I know a some JMU business grads who are extremely financially successful. The business school is notably innovative and entrepreneurial.

I agree that JMU is on the rise and is now known to companies nationally. That said, the degree does have more cache in the region (which is a great one for jobs) than nationally. Most importantly, you can get a great education there, and it will be how you do in your jobs than the school name that will be most significant in the long run.

I think pretty much every student and alum I’ve known love(d) their college experience and is totally gung-ho for the school. Good luck!

JMU COB is not too shabby; the business school has been on the rise in the past couple of years and it’s been gaining a reputation as a more serious program that prides itself on providing a quality business education. Overall, the students at JMU are pretty friendly and down to earth. It’s not as cutthroat as schools like Georgetown, UVA or Michigan Ross so if you’re looking for a school that’s decently well known by firms on the northeast then JMU is a fine choice. JMU’s location is also pretty chill, too. If you’re looking for a really intensive program that’s very well known by top firms then you should probably aim for schools like GWU, UVA, Georgetown, Ross, Wharton, NYU, USC etc.

I believe it’s an okay program but certainly not a feeder into top finance/consulting/tech jobs. I would probably look into other options.

@Govegan1995 what is GWU?

@lmao2018 George Washington University… it’s a pretty good school located in the center of Washington, DC. GWU has great internship opportunities and many of the business and economics students score some pretty impressive internships. Plus the acceptance at GWU has been relatively high for the past couple of years since they’re trying to bring in more money…it’s like 45% so now would be a good time to apply. That’s not to say OP couldn’t hack it at big 4 firm or nice consulting from JMU. Rather, going to a better school would make it easier to get into a top consulting in the sense of prestige and reputation.

What you’ll notice about JMU students is that overall they’re less academically driven than their peers at schools such as the ones I’ve mentioned. But that’s not to say those people are any less human or that OP wouldn’t have formative experiences at JMU that would positively shape his or her career as well as life perspective. If you love academia and want a hardcore environment and less sleep than your peers then you should go to one of those schools. Now, if you want a more chill experience and less people to compete with then go to JMU. JMU is on par with schools like Vtech ( not counting engineer) and George Mason. It’s a bit better than VCU, Radford, ODU. I know people graduating from Vtech Pamplin, for example, that are getting comparable jobs to students from UVA Mcintire. That’s not to say that “overall” the level of post-graduation accomplishments at McIntire isn’t superior to Pamplin but just that it’s not as if not going to an elite university is an end all. At George Washington, for example, many students intern on the hill while taking a full semester ( at least 12 credits).

@Govegan1995 Sorry I am aware of it. I just don’t think it’s really comparable to the other schools you mentioned. Sounds like a fine program though.

@lmao2018 It’s still a top school…the international business program is ranked 8 in the country not to mention a top 25 law school.

@Govegan1995 Sure. It just seems fairly comparable to JMU. Neither is a top 50 school nor particularly well represented in finance, but both provide adequate opportunities if a student is driven enough. I think any of the other schools you listed would be better for what the OP wants.

@lmao2018 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_University_School_of_Business. Also, look at the ranking yourself. GW Business definitely has solid rankings…enough so to justify some people coming here over USC, UVa or NYU. Now, if you got into Wharton that’s different but the internship placement at GWU is phenomenal. And if you’re going to make a sarcastic comment about GWU that’s that too bad for you lol plenty of here doing well and placing into internships at the world bank or going to top 25 law schools.

@lmao2018 um it’s a top 30 Business school loll at the US News and Business ranking…lol you must be pretty ignorant if you think JMU is on par with GWU

@Govegan1995 Your own link says 38th. But that’s beside the point. The other schools you listed all place very well into finance and are the general targets. I have nothing against GW. I’m glad you seem to like it so much.

@lmao2018 Also, I’m getting an MBA at Yale SOM. During my interview, my interviewer
mentioned that GW Business was a strong undergrad program to have come from so lol

@Govegan1995 Good for you. Sorry for the sarcastic comment. GW is fine. To OP, I recommend applying to better placing programs if the goal is to get a top finance job.

@lmao2018 Well yeah those are the best of the best but realistically even a school ranked 38 is a great school to be at. Not everyone gets into one of the other schools listed so GWU is a great school in the sense it’s a great place to get you started…especially if you want to go to one of those places for grad. Realistically, GWSB is a big feeder into GULC and McDonough for grad.

@lmao2018 I mean like I know what you mean tbh but in the grand scheme of things a school ranked around 38 could be a good place for OP to go and develop and then go on to a top 10 for finance. You’re fine…yes it’s not Wharton but it’s a good place to prepare you for those schools or top jobs.