Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia |
| Online | jmu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
James Madison University, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, is a public institution established in 1908 as a women's teachers college. The 721-acre campus features a mix of modern academic buildings and traditional bluestone architecture set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. JMU offers comprehensive undergraduate programs with particular strengths in business, education, health sciences, and communication, while maintaining selective admission standards. The university provides on-campus housing primarily for first-year students across multiple residential areas, and operates a substantial NCAA Division I athletic program, competing in the Sun Belt Conference with notable success in football and women's lacrosse.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
JMU is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for James Madison University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#260 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#67 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Virginia
#445 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1140/1320 |
| ACT | 23/29 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.57 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,176 |
| Other Fees | $5,408 |
| Room and Board | $12,040 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,200 |
| Total One Year Cost | $30,508 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,176 |
| Other Fees | $5,408 |
| Room and Board | $12,040 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,200 |
| Total One Year Cost | $47,568 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 16% |
| Health Professions | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 10% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6% |
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Students considering JMU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232423 IPEDS survey data for James Madison University.
Current students may use the James Madison University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024