James Madison University
James Madison University

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Located in Harrisonburg, VA, in the Shenandoah Valley, James Madison University is a public institution offering more than 120 degree options. As a research university, JMU features a Research and Scholarship (R&S) administration, and is home to the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, which is "dedicated to understanding and solving issues in global conflict." Students earning a position in the Honors College have extra research opportunities, as well as enriched classes and specially-designed study abroad programs. Roughly a fourth of students at James Madison study in another country, with opportunities in Oxford, Cambridge, St. Andrews, and more. JMU is one of only 10% of colleges that have a Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.

Acceptance Rate:
78%
Average Net Price:
$22,431
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
3.2
Average ACT Composite
26
Average SAT Composite
1204

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$22,431
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$13,576
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$30,790
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$12,584
Books and Supplies
$1254
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$13,170
$30k - $48k
$14,028
$48k - $75k
$18,596
$75k - $110k
$24,672
$110k+
$28,096
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
41%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
14%
Average Aid Per Year
$10,081
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
14%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,944
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,579

 

Students receiving state aid
12%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4823
Students receiving federal aid
15%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,944
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$14,288
$30k - $48k
$14,985
$48k - $75k
$19,216
$75k - $110k
$24,471
$110k+
$27,196
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$55,381,552
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$11,488,493

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
35%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,063
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$20,093
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$213
Students receiving federal loans
33%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,232
Average Other Loans Per Year
$19,890

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
78%
Acceptance Rate
30727
Students Applied
77%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
702
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is not checked
No
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.November 1May 1
Fall Regular DecisionJanuary 15May 1
OtherFebruary 1
Application Fee
$70
Fee waivers available
Applications Accepted
Common Application
Common Application
Online Application
Online Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
73%
Out-Of-State Students
22%
3%
Submitting ACT
23%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 26
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1204
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
560
75th
650
Reading
25th
580
75th
670
3.2
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
17
Top 25%
29
Top 50%
88
Students Enrolled By Household Income

< $30k
231
$30k - $48k
149
$48k - $75k
253
$75k - $110k
233
$110k+
687

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 540-568-5681
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
22,224
Total Number of Undergrads
20,346
0
100
68%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
82%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
17:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • ROTC Air Force
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
37%
20-39 Students
45%
40-99 Students
12%
100+ Students
4%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
64

Faculty Overview

0
100
76%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
43%
57%
Residency
In-State Students
73%
Out-Of-State Students
22%
Size of Town
Small city
US States Represented
48
Countries Represented
95
Ethnicity
African American
5%
Asian/Pacific Islander
6%
Hispanic
8%
White
75%
Multiracial
4%
Unknown
2%
Percent of First Generation Students
21%
Student Organizations
385
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Item is checked
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
32%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
32%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Dukes
School Colors
purple and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Sun Belt Conference
Total Male Athletes
229
Total Female Athletes
275
Intramural Sports
16
Sports Club
13
Sports Team (Men)
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Field Hockey
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
James Madison University Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$65,172
Top 5 Cities
Washington
Charlottesville
Richmond
New York
Norfolk
Top 5 Employers
James Madison University
Booz Allen Hamilton
Capital One
Deloitte
Accenture
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Education
Operations
Sales
Information Technology
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$20,093
Loan Default Rate
2%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$213
I started off with five luck-of-the-draw classes. They were all challenging and all required a lot of work but I never really had to push myself. However, my grades weren't the highest of any of my classes either. JMU has a great college atmosphere and you just have to be wary that it doesn't take away from your work ethic.
Samuel from Chesterfield, VA
JMU has an amazing General Education program that all incoming students must complete. The program is great because it really ensures that you're getting a well-rounded education and that you're gaining exposure to many different fields of study. For example, I'm a Nursing major and I ended up taking an Art History class that focused on Renaissance to Modern art. I was blown away by the class, which was something I never thought was possible. I found something new that interested me and learned a great deal about art in the process. The program is useful for students who haven't declared a major, too, because they gain exposure to many realms of study.
Rebecca from Ashburn, VA
James Madison University is one of the most amazing colleges you will ever attend. The campus is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the academics are superb. I could not be more proud to be a part of the Duke family.
Alexandra from Norfolk, VA
I love my classes here. Some people mock the general education classes, but my English class and Psychology classes have been two of my favorites here thus far. The teachers are always here to help. They have office hours, are so accommodating to your schedules, and are genuinely great people. Of course there are exceptions, but they are far and few in between. I cannot even put into words how huge of a change JMU has had on me as a person. The classes have taught me so much and really have a large influence on the way I look at certain topics.
Sara from Wallingford, CT
JMU is what I would call the Disney Land of universities. From first glance, it is a beautiful campus with fantastic people, both physically and mentally. Yet, behind the scenes, like Disney, it is a strategic series of difficult tasks that create such a great outcome.
Luisiana from Hammonton, NJ
The professors at James Madison Univeristy should not be taken lightly. Do not think you know more than them for a second because they will put you in your place and beat you with experience. If you ask most professors at JMU why they teach, I guarantee all of them mention how they love the student pool and that they enjoy the laid-back lifestyle on campus. The professors are not washouts from real-life careers, they are professionals who are they to help guide you through your own career.
Joshua from Dale City, VA
I recently visited JMU and despite my insistance on not falling in love, I did! I feel that JMU only accepts the best of the best and to be accepted is a true honor. That being said, anyone who plans on attending JMU should expect to be competitive. The only way to really survive at JMU is to learn and hunger for knowledge. Most students are on top of their game and are a constant reminder that you have to do the same. So yes I think you'll learn a lot at JMU DUKES!! Lol
Isaac from Richmond, VA
Overall, yes. I'm a sophomore so most of my courses so far have been gen eds and on average they're really good. In other words, some have been phenomenal and some I kind of had to muddle through, but you get that everywhere. I've learned a lot outside of the classroom, too, whether through conversations with the people here, in clubs I've joined, or at activities on campus.
Lauren from Royersford, PA
james madison university is located in one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen. the scenery is amazing and the school itself has a great campus. every one who comes here is extremely friendly, including the professors.
Jeanne from Chantilly, VA
Many don't realize the academic value found in James Madison. Professors care, even on the Gen'ed levels. One of my Gen'ed history professors, for example, made it a requirement to meet with him more than once during the semester. He taught, at minimum, 300 students that semester, but still made a point to get to know each one to the best of his ability. This helpfulness and outreach is much more common than uncommon with teachers, making the learning environment much more pleasant.
Also, one thing that I feel always goes under the radar is the advisers. As a freshman, you have 3. As you move on in your college career, you are assigned ones specific to your major. They are not only wonderful people, they are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. In comparison to my friends' experiences from several different schools, JMU has a terrific support system for students through staff.
Joy