Harrisonburg, VA
James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, situated in a small city setting. The university serves an undergraduate enrollment of 20,888 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 and maintains an 80.3% graduation rate.
James Madison University has a 71.5% acceptance rate, meaning admitted applicants represent a substantial portion of those who apply. This minimal selectivity suggests reasonable admission prospects for qualified candidates.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 14,547 | 10,403 | 71.5% | 2,105 |
| Women | 21,195 | 16,850 | 79.5% | 2,815 |
James Madison University admits 71.5% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
James Madison University has a cost of attendance of $33,276, but the average net price students pay is $23,322, meaning most students pay considerably less than the sticker price.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $213.
After aid, James Madison University costs $23,322 a year — about 60% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
James Madison University has a graduation rate of 80.3%, with graduates earning a median of $57,438 six years after entry and $69,954 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling | 449 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 426 |
| Psychology, General | 294 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 274 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 179 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 176 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 166 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 163 |
| Business Administration and Management,... | 148 |
| Information Science/Studies | 146 |
Median earnings eight years after entering James Madison University are $64,070, and 79% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former James Madison University students earn $57,438 — 25% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, a small city in Virginia, with an undergraduate enrollment of 20,888 students. The student body includes 56.4% women, 20.8% first-generation students, and 17.1% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
479 of 19,474 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
505 of 21,006 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 608 of 1,752 graduate students.
James Madison University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA, in what IPEDS classifies as a small city setting. The campus sits about 0.2 miles from the center of Harrisonburg. There are 2 other colleges within 25 miles, and Harrisonburg, VA is 0.2 miles away.
Harrisonburg City scores 14.9 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 27.5% of Harrisonburg's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures James Madison University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, James Madison University reported 8 arrests and 436 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about James Madison University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
James Madison University has an acceptance rate of 71.5%. The university received 35,750 applications, admitted 27,258 students, and enrolled 4,922 first-year students.
The total cost of attendance at James Madison University is $33,276, with tuition and fees at $31,604. The average net price after financial aid is $23,322.
James Madison University supports 17.1% of students with Pell grants. The median federal debt at graduation is $20,093, and 29% of students borrow federal loans with a three-year repayment rate of 82.4%.
James Madison University has a graduation rate of 80.3%, indicating that this percentage of students complete their degrees.
Graduates earn a median of $57,438 six years after entry and $69,954 ten years after entry, reflecting career progression and earning potential.
James Madison University has an undergraduate enrollment of 20,888 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, providing moderate class sizes and faculty interaction.
Women comprise 56.4% of the student body. First-generation students make up 20.8% of the population, and 17.1% of students receive Pell grants.
James Madison University offered 2,926 students a waitlist placement, with 41 students ultimately admitted from the waitlist during the admissions cycle.
Among admitted students, 19% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class, reflecting the academic profile of the student body.
James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in a small city setting that provides a balance between campus community and access to broader regional resources.