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Harrisonburg , VA
James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Established in 1908 as a teacher's college, JMU has grown into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of academic programs. The university is named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and the author of the U.S. Constitution, symbolizing its commitment to civic engagement and leadership.
JMU offers over 80 undergraduate programs in various disciplines, including business, engineering, education, health sciences, and the liberal arts. The university is well-known for its strong programs in business, education, nursing, engineering, and media, arts, and design. JMU prides itself on its faculty who are not only committed to teaching but also engage in scholarly research and creative activities. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 16:1, students benefit from personalized attention and mentorship.
Apart from academics, JMU provides a vibrant campus life for its students. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern residence halls, research labs, a performing arts center, and a student recreation center. Students can get involved through various clubs, organizations, and sports teams, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting leadership development. The Division I athletics program, known as the Dukes, competes in the Colonial Athletic Association and offers numerous opportunities for sports enthusiasts.
Overall, James Madison University offers a comprehensive educational experience that combines rigorous academics with a lively campus environment. With its commitment to civic engagement, strong academic programs, and an inclusive community, JMU provides a foundation for students to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
Located in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 71%. The freshman retention rate at James Madison University is 91.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 80%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. Here are some recent data on important things to consider about James Madison University.
Quick Facts
21,112
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
80%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you need to know about admission at James Madison University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 27,480 in 2025.
Test Scores
14% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 3% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 10.54% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 63.94% between 1,200 and 1,399, 22.33% between 1,000 and 1,199, 2.91% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.28% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18.05, 65.41 between 24-29, 15.04 in the range between 18-23, and 1.5 between 12-17.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for James Madison University was 91.9% in 2025, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 80%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect place for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at James Madison University in 2025 was 22,879.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 21% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 21,112, 137 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 777 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,898 male and 11,766 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 1,096 Asian students and 984 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,833 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,197 as multirace. The school also had 23 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 38 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 488 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $8,150. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $25,496. If you are an international student at James Madison University, you should know that the 2025 tuition was $25,496, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $6,100.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $25,496 | $6,100 | $31,596 |
| In-State | $8,150 | $6,100 | $14,250 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to give about $1,296 for books and supplies during their time at James Madison University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at James Madison University amounted to $13,056 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $6,280, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,280.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,150 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,056 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,296 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,502 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at James Madison University.
The most recent records show that 1,900 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $12,788.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
4,730 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at James Madison University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 7,246. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $16,494,588, and state $20,821,733. The students of James Madison University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $12,963,610, and external in the amount of $4,881,022.
$6,789
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 871 students overall (including freshmen) at James Madison University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 232 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $11,686,235. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $327,172 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at James Madison University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 1,465 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 681 men and 784 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at James Madison University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at James Madison University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about students' life at James Madison University.
It has a campus size of 785 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 516 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. Students interested in music can join the James Madison University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? James Madison University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At James Madison University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of James Madison University.
All in all, campus life at James Madison University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at James Madison University.
Career Counselling
There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 59,686 USD.
$59,686
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, VA.
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James Madison University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for James Madison University is 71%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for James Madison University is 91.9%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.