James Madison University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, James Madison University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 69%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1260 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,322 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for James Madison University?

James Madison University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What does James Madison University weight in admissions?

James Madison University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores James Madison University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does James Madison University actually cost?

Published tuition is $14,250 for in-state students and $31,604 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,056 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,322 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for James Madison University

Will my child graduate from James Madison University?

These predict outcomes at James Madison University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at James Madison University

The most popular undergraduate programs at James Madison University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Communication and Media Studies and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Across all programs, James Madison University confers roughly 2,276 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions program report a median income of about $67,436 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is James Madison University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), James Madison University disclosed 38 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 16 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at James Madison University?

About 32% of undergraduates at James Madison University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Virginia parents ask about

• Old Dominion University
  90% acceptance
• George Mason University
  87% acceptance
• Virginia Commonwealth University
  93% acceptance
• Washington and Lee University
  14% acceptance
• University of Richmond
  22% acceptance
• Liberty University
  99% acceptance
• Longwood University
  90% acceptance
• Radford University
  90% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about James Madison University