James Madison University — College Profile

About

Located in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, James Madison University is a public institution renowned for blending the resources of a major research university with an undergraduate-focused teaching model. JMU is particularly recognized for its top-ranked College of Business, exceptional nursing and health sciences programs, and strong offerings in education and media arts. The campus culture is famously welcoming and spirited, defined by enthusiastic Division I athletics, vibrant student traditions, and an exceptionally high student satisfaction rate. Setting JMU apart are its consistently top-ranked campus dining program, picturesque bluestone architecture, and an institutional commitment to producing engaged, enlightened citizens.

Wikipedia:James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1908, the institution was renamed in 1938 in honor of the fourth president of the United States, James Madison. It has since expanded from its origins as a normal school and teacher's college into a comprehensive university. It is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, just west of Massanutten Mountain.

Location

Harrisonburg, VA, 22807 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

IAD · Dulles

84 mi away

Open in Google Maps View official campus map

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$14,250$31,604

Housing & food (on campus)$13,056$13,056

Books & supplies$1,298$1,298

Cost of attendance$31,735$49,089 est.

Average net price$23,322Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$31,604

In-state: $14,250

Housing & food (on campus)$13,056

Books & supplies$1,298

Cost of attendance$49,089 est.

In-state: $31,735

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $23,322

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$11,444

$30–48k

$12,977

$48–75k

$16,475

$75–110k

$22,343

$110k+

$30,147

Your family's actual price → James Madison University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

80%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

66%

Back for yr 2

92%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

82% graduated · 14% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$57,438

10 yrs after entry$69,954

Debt

Median at graduation$20,093

Monthly payment$213

Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$26k

90th percentile$29,680

Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

72%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1256

R 600–680 · M 570–660

ACT midpoint

Comp 24–29

SAT middle 50%: 1170–1340

40080012001600

Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry

Early Action

Nov 1 2026

in 30 days · November 1

Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.

Checked Sep 2026 · jmu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If James Madison University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 44%Women 56%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

17 : 1

Pell grant

17%

First-gen

21%

Family income

$92,165

Independent

Age at entry

20.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

72%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Field Hockey
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$57,438

After 10 yrs

$69,954

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions415

Communication and Media Studies413

Psychology, General330

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing286

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness272

Biology, General179

Marketing170

Information Science/Studies149

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities146

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods138

Computer and Information Sciences, General136

Business Administration, Management and Operations130

Finance and Financial Management Services129

Fine and Studio Arts115

Political Science and Government110

Hospitality Administration/Management85

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$156M

Full-time faculty

81%

Faculty salary

$10,916/mo

Teaching spend

$10,620

per student

Federal loans

29%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R2 — high research

$21M research spending · 53 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile