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James Madison University

JMU

Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807

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Strong graduate outcomes — known for health sciences

James Madison University is a public institution in Harrisonburg with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1247, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 20.5K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

81% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $69,954 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,816.

Established
1908
Motto
"Knowledge is Liberty"
Mascot
Duke Dog
Type
Public research university
Conference
NCAA's Division I
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

76%Acceptance
1247SAT Avg
20,497Students
17:1Student:Faculty
81%Grad Rate
$69,954Earnings 10yr
$21,816Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

James Madison University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1247

Reading & WritingMid: 620
600670
MathMid: 605
570650

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2529

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

76.3%

Trend

SAT Avg

1247

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,576
Tuition (out-of-state)$30,790
Room & Board$12,584
Books & Supplies$1,254
Total Cost of Attendance$30,213
Average Net Price$21,816
Median Debt at Graduation$20,093
Monthly Payment (10yr)$213

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,582
$30–48K$12,172
$48–75K$17,150
$75–110K$23,171
$110K+$28,869

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

69.6%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,272

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

155

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

40

Burglary

8

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

13

Motor Vehicle Theft

16

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

41

Drug Arrests

31

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (94)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

90%

Positive
  • •90% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
20,497
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
21%
Pell Grant Recipients
17%

Race & Ethnicity

White 75%
Black 4%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 5%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate80.9%
Freshman Retention90.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$57,438
10 Years$69,954

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#124
↓1
vs 2024
Forbes
#136
↓1
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
↑1
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#75
↓2
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Dukes

SwimmingVolleyballLacrosseCross country

History & Fun Facts

  • •Founded in 1908 as a women's college, James Madison University was established by the Virginia General Assembly.
  • •In 1914, the name of the university was changed to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg.
  • •Authorization to award bachelor's degrees was granted in 1916.
  • •In 1977, the university's name was changed to James Madison University.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles84 mi
RIC Richmond106 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington129 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
New York, NY303 mi · ~8h 45m drive
Hartford, CT400 mi · ~11h 33m drive
Providence, RI458 mi · ~13h 14m drive
Albany, NY396 mi · ~11h 26m drive
Syracuse, NY349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
Rochester, NY333 mi · ~9h 37m drive
Buffalo, NY307 mi · ~8h 52m drive
Philadelphia, PA224 mi · ~6h 28m drive
Pittsburgh, PA151 mi · ~4h 22m drive
Harrisburg, PA165 mi · ~4h 46m drive
Newark, NJ296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Washington, DC104 mi · ~3h drive
Baltimore, MD135 mi · ~3h 54m drive
Atlanta, GA447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
Charlotte, NC247 mi · ~7h 8m drive
Raleigh, NC184 mi · ~5h 19m drive
Miami, FL879 mi · ~25h 24m drive
Orlando, FL699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Tampa, FL753 mi · ~21h 45m drive
Nashville, TN462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
Richmond, VA100 mi · ~2h 53m drive
Chicago, IL520 mi · ~15h 1m drive
Detroit, MI347 mi · ~10h 1m drive
Minneapolis, MN867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
St. Louis, MO612 mi · ~17h 41m drive
Kansas City, MO846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Indianapolis, IN401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Columbus, OH245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH259 mi · ~7h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI570 mi · ~16h 28m drive
Dallas, TX1078 mi · ~31h 9m drive
Houston, TX1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Austin, TX1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
San Antonio, TX1282 mi · ~37h 2m drive
Los Angeles, CA2198 mi · ~63h 30m drive
San Francisco, CA2346 mi · ~67h 46m drive
San Diego, CA2172 mi · ~62h 45m drive
Seattle, WA2253 mi · ~65h 5m drive
Portland, OR2273 mi · ~65h 40m drive
Denver, CO1399 mi · ~40h 25m drive
Phoenix, AZ1879 mi · ~54h 17m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1755 mi · ~50h 42m drive
Honolulu, HI4738 mi · ~136h 53m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Washington Dulles (IAD)84 miles
Rental car
126 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
168 min$101-168
Richmond (RIC)106 miles
Rental car
159 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
212 min$127-212

Deadline Calendar

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James Madison University Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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James Madison University — v2 Preview — TourStack