James Madison University
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. It has a campus size of 721 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at James Madison University is 89.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 81%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
To find out more about what James Madison University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
20,346
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
78%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
81%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to James Madison University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 24,062 in 2022. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, James Madison University offers a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
23% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 3% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 8.42% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 57.07% between 1,200 and 1,399, 31.16% between 1,000 and 1,199, 3.26% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.09% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 19.05, 50.6 between 24-29, 26.79 in the range between 18-23, and 3.57 between 12-17.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is March 1.
78%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2022, the freshman retention rate for James Madison University was 89.2%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 81%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2022, the school had an enrollment of 22,224 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 19% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 20,346, 175 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 769.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 8,364 male and 11,614 female full-time students in 2022. 298 full-time graduate men and 817 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 1,139 Asian students and 938 Afro-American students in 2022. 1,523 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 800 identified with more than one race. The school also had 23 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 41 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 396 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at James Madison University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at James Madison University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $7,250, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $23,564. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $23,564, as well. Full-time students in 2022 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $5,080.
Tuition | Fees | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Out-of-State | $23,564 | $5,080 | $28,644 |
In-State | $7,250 | $5,080 | $12,330 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to give about $1,082 for books and supplies during their time at James Madison University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2022, room and board cost at James Madison University amounted to $5,508 a year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $5,508 for the 2022 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $5,508.
Tuition | $ 7,250 |
Room and Board | $ 5,508 |
Book and Supplies | $ 1,082 |
Total Expense | $ 13,840 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at James Madison University.
According to the most recent data, 1,778 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $11,003 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
4,166 students were granted 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 total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 6,878. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $15,162,539, and state $12,698,055. The students of James Madison University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $13,322,541, and external in the amount of $3,877,436.
$7,208
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
714 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2022. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 149 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $9,066,143. 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 $350,848 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at James Madison University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. According to the most recent information, there are 1,712 faculty members at this school. This number included 744 male and 929 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at James Madison University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about students' life at James Madison University.
Student Organizations
Involvement in student organizations can make your educational experience more dynamic and gratifying.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 385. This number includes sororities and fraternities. Students who like music can join the James Madison University band or chorus. If drama is your thing, there is a club dedicated to acting that you can join. You have a passion for media and communication? James Madison University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
James Madison University offers a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of James Madison University.
All in all, campus life at James Madison University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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
At James Madison University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
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 78%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for James Madison University is 89.2%.
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.