James Madison University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Harrisonburg, VA
5.0 3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

22,740

Location Harrisonburg, Virginia
Website jmu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Small City

Best Colleges Rank

#246

Size Large
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

JMU is rated within the top 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

5 out of 10
Outcomes

9 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for James Madison University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1170/1340
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/29

Acceptance Rate

71.5%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 18.2%
Application Fee $70

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$14,250

Out of State Resident Tuition

$31,604

Breakdown

Tuition $14,250
Books and Supplies $1,298
Other Fees $6,100
Room and Board $13,056
Budget for Other Expenses $4,672
Total One Year Cost $39,376

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$60,300 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

81% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at James Madison University are Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. 16% of students major in Business, 13% in Health Professions, and 10% in Social Sciences.