Acceptance Rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1340
75th percentile
“Shenandoah Valley public university pulsing with Duke spirit, business acumen, and media creativity.”
Harrisonburg, VA
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
James Madison University traces its roots to 1908, when it opened as a state normal school training women to become teachers amid Virginia's rolling hills. It expanded to include men in 1965 and adopted its presidential namesake in 1938, growing into a bustling hub for undergraduates. Students who fit best are energetic team players drawn to collaboration, outdoor adventures, and lively events; those seeking solitary urban intensity might feel out of place. The campus radiates approachable energy, with friendly faces everywhere you turn. Harrisonburg wraps the school in small-city charm—think farm-fresh markets and low rents—but the rural pocket means driving for bigger shopping or entertainment.
Photo Gallery
+15
+7
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
You'll dive into strengths like the College of Business, health professions, education, and media arts, where hands-on projects in digital filmmaking or quantitative finance build real skills. Classrooms mix engaging discussions in upper-level courses with larger introductory lectures that encourage group work. Integrated science and technology stands out, letting you map disaster risks or analyze environmental data using advanced tools. Research opportunities open early for motivated undergrads, often alongside faculty tackling regional issues. Tradeoffs include competitive spots in nursing or physical therapy tracks and occasional waitlists for popular electives amid the 21,000-plus undergrads.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
20,973 undergrad • 1,767 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
74%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
8%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
9%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Harrisonburg, VA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week starts with morning classes across the hill-dotted campus, shifts to club meetings or gym sessions, and peaks with Thursday hangouts leading into weekend football tailgates that pack the quad. Division I Dukes games draw roaring crowds, while Greek life engages thousands in social mixers and philanthropy. Residence villages create tight-knit homes, from quiet Village Seven to buzzing Lake View. Traditions like the pre-game cookouts foster bonds, blending study grinds with fun. Summers bring humidity and quiet streets, and the small-town scene relies on local spots like breweries over big nightlife; proximity to mountains offers hiking escapes.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Sun Belt Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
92%
4 Years Graduation Rate
68%
6 Years Graduation Rate
82%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$69,954
92% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at James Madison University and return in the fall. 68% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
68%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
17%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$7,684
Acceptance
72%
Undergrads
20,973
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
Endowment
$135M
Harrisonburg, VA 22807