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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 uses 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
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Discover some important data about admission policy and requirements at James Madison University.
According to the most recent 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 enrolled 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% between 800 and 999, and 0.28% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen 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 freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school 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. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 80%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best match for you. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 22,879 students.
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 foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 777.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,898 male and 11,766 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 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 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,197 identified with more than one race. The school also had 23 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 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. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for James Madison University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $8,150, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $25,496 in 2025. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $25,496, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated 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
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,296.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at James Madison University was $13,056 per academic year. If you only needed a dormitory room, you had to pay $6,280 for the 2025 academic year. 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
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. 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.
According to the most recent data, 1,900 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $12,788.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
4,730 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 amounted to 7,246. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $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
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
871 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school 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. $327,172 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at James Madison University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,465. This number included 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
It is not all about learning and grades at James Madison University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at James Madison University.
Its campus spans 785 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 516. That includes sororities and fraternities. Those interested in music can join the James Madison University band or chorus. If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. Interested in 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 pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is 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 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
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
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 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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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for James Madison University is 71%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for James Madison University is 91.9%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 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 © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
