James Madison University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It enrolls 20,888 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
75/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes89
Value61
Affordability24
Selectivity66
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 71.5%, James Madison University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
71.5%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1170 – 1340
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
24 – 29
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether James Madison University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
0.5 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending James Madison University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,322 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,322
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
17%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
29%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$14,250
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$31,604
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,056
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,056
Books & Supplies
$1,298
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,672
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,672
Total Cost of Attendance
$31,735
Application fee: $70 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$11,444
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,977
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,475
$75,001 – $110,000
$22,343
Over $110,000
$30,147
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,33810%percentile
$7,50025%percentile
$20,093Medianpercentile
$26,00075%percentile
$29,68090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,500
↓ $2,593
No Pell $17,076
↓ $3,017
Dependent students $17,500
↓ $2,593
Independent students $12,500
↓ $7,593
Female students $18,127
↓ $1,966
Male students $15,500
↓ $4,593
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($20,093), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
83% of full-time students who enrolled at James Madison University graduate within six years, and 91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
83%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered James Madison University earn a median of $69,954 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$69,954
Earning > $25K
89%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$56,500
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$74,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$60,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$60,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$64,700
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $17,500, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
10.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 95% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
James Madison University is home to 20,888 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
20,888
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
21%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 72.3%15,092
Hispanic 8.8%1,834
Other 6.0%1,257
Asian 5.3%1,097
Black 4.7%984
International 0.7%138
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at James Madison University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityHarrisonburg, Virginia
Housing
Partly residential6,481 beds available
Adult Learners
3%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
James Madison University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
85 distinct programs across
23 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at James Madison University is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$10,684
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$135M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$93,695
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,048 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
388
37%
$109,769
Associate Professors
283
27%
$93,024
Assistant Professors
204
19%
$84,284
Instructors
173
17%
$69,838
Pros & Cons of James Madison University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how James Madison University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Class sizes are on the higher side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, James Madison University is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about James Madison University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about James Madison University.
Is James Madison University hard to get into?
Admissions at James Madison University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 71.5%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at James Madison University?
James Madison University has an acceptance rate of 71.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for James Madison University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at James Madison University scored between 1170 and 1340 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for James Madison University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at James Madison University scored between 24 and 29 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does James Madison University cost?
The average net price after aid at James Madison University is $23,322 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is James Madison University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $69,954 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,322 per year. That's roughly 3.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is James Madison University known for?
James Madison University is best known for its programs in Mental Health Services, Communication & Media, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do James Madison University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering James Madison University are $69,954, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is James Madison University accredited?
Yes. James Madison University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend James Madison University?
James Madison University enrolls 20,888 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at James Madison University?
James Madison University graduates 83% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is James Madison University a public or private college?
James Madison University is a Public institution.
Where is James Madison University located?
James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
What programs does James Madison University offer?
James Madison University offers 85 distinct programs. The most popular include Mental Health Services, Communication & Media, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at James Madison University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at James Madison University is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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