James Madison University
PublicHarrisonburg, VA
James Madison University is a public very large school in Harrisonburg, VA, enrolling about 20,888 undergraduates. It's not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, admitting about 72% of applicants. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Information Science/Studies, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $113,345/year. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from James Madison University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 16% submitted SAT scores, 3% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Nov 1, 2026
- Regular Decision: Jan 15, 2027
Confirm on James Madison University's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $17,808 more per year in tuition and fees (2.2x the in-state rate).
Tuition & fees are James Madison University's own published 2026-27 rates (source); other figures are from the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Where do you stand against James Madison University's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow James Madison University weighs your application
From James Madison University's own Common Data Set, 2025-26, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what James Madison University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does James Madison University look for in applicants?
Per James Madison University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is James Madison University's acceptance rate?
James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA admits approximately 72% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for James Madison University?
Per James Madison University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1180–1330 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for James Madison University?
Per James Madison University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 24–29 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does James Madison University cost?
James Madison University's total cost of attendance is reported at $31,735 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
What is out-of-state tuition at James Madison University?
For 2026-27, James Madison University's tuition and required fees are $32,576 for out-of-state students and $14,768 for in-state students -- $17,808 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for James Madison University?
James Madison University's deadlines are Early Action Nov 1, 2026; Regular Decision Jan 15, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does James Madison University require students to live on campus?
No -- James Madison University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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