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Public · Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University

Urban campus · 20,888 undergraduates · 17 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
72%
ACT middle 50%
24–29
Average net price
$23,322
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
80%
James Madison, the university's namesake, by John Vanderlyn (1816)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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What James Madison University costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

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

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$31,735
Tuition, in-state
$14,250
Tuition, out-of-state
$31,604
First-years given a grant by the school
27%
Average grant from the school
$7,731
Median debt at graduation
$20,093
The school's own net price calculator
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Admissions

Acceptance rate
72%
SAT middle 50%
1170–1340
ACT middle 50%
24–29
Test scores
Considered, not required
First-year retention
91%

Your student’s ACT puts them ? here

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James Madison University athletics

NCAA D1, 11 women's and 6 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–41
Basketball2817
Cross country111–
Field hockey24–
Football–121
Golf810
Lacrosse35–
Soccer3630
Softball25–
Swimming & diving28–
Tennis118
Track & field111–
Volleyball16–

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

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Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Health professions
18%
Business & marketing
15%
Communication & journalism
10%
Parks, recreation & fitness
7%
Social sciences
7%
Computer & information sciences
7%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
91%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$69,954
Median debt at graduation
$20,093
Students with a Pell grant
17%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.