JMU Admission Requirements

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Harrisonburg, VA
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#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

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JMU Admission Overview

JMU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year JMU admitted 71.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1170-1340 / ACT 24-29. JMU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JMU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/first-year/index.shtml

JMU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

71.5%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The JMU acceptance rate is 71.5%. Last year, 27,482 of 38,428 applicants were admitted. That is the 16th lowest acceptance rate in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into JMU and can you get accepted?

JMU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JMU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.57*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.57*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

JMU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.57 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. JMU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

*3.57 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

JMU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

James Madison University is test-optional for first-year applicants. SAT or ACT scores are not required, and choosing not to send them does not hurt admission, scholarship, or Honors College review. If you submit scores, they must be official reports sent electronically from the testing agency and must arrive by the application deadline. JMU uses your highest math and verbal scores from any sitting.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/first-year/index.shtml

JMU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1170-1340

Freshmen who sent SAT

14%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 570
Composite 1170

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 660
Composite 1340

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at JMU typically score around a 1260 SAT (middle 50% 1170–1340) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 83rd percentile nationally. JMU ranks #10 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1170 to 1340

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

JMU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at James Madison University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340+	Above 75th	>83%
1260 to 1340	Avg +	73%-83%
1170 to 1260	Avg -	58%-73%
Below 1170	Below mid-50	<58%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JMU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 24

75th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at JMU typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. JMU places #14 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to JMU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at James Madison University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>85%
26 to 29	Avg +	72%-85%
24 to 26	Avg -	61%-72%
Below 24	Below mid-50	<61%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the JMU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

James Madison University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	22,589	15,832	38,428
Accepted	16,813	10,663	27,482
Acceptance Rate	74%	67%	72%
Enrolled	2,892	2,096	4,990
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	17%	20%	18%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to James Madison University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

James Madison University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to James Madison University is $70.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at James Madison University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

JMU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 71.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1170-1340); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025