At a glance
Average net price
$23,322
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
79.7%
Admission rate
72%
Undergrad size
20,888
In-state tuition
$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
$31,604
Cost of attendance
$31,735
Median earnings (10y)
$69,954
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,256
- ACT midpoint
- 27
- Retention
- 92.0%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (24%), social sciences (23%), health (18%).
- STEM14%
- Health18%
- Business14%
- Humanities & arts24%
- Social sciences23%
- Trades & services7%
- Health professions18.3%~3,816 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business13.9%~2,893 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Communication9.0%~1,890 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences8.1%~1,681 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,397 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Psychology6.2%~1,303 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Computer science6.0%~1,255 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,184 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education4.8%~1,003 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~888 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts2.9%~595 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~505 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English2.1%~443 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~414 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Legal1.5%~311 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~311 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.5%~311 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering1.5%~307 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.7%~138 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~94 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~88 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~63 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 868 | $30,000 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 812 | $39,604 | $21,502 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 602 | $28,370 | $23,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 568 | $65,005 | $21,347 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 528 | $33,807 | $21,500 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 526 | $48,403 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 389 | $32,885 | $23,250 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 361 | $27,637 | $23,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 359 | $49,719 | $21,040 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 304 | $70,020 | $21,025 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 269 | $65,544 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 259 | $49,222 | $19,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 241 | $73,457 | $21,470 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 235 | $33,065 | $23,001 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 227 | $35,969 | $20,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 207 | $43,827 | $22,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 167 | $61,239 | $22,484 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 160 | — | — |
| Science, Technology and Society. | Bachelor's | 153 | $42,067 | $23,875 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 153 | $16,916 | $19,975 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Bachelor's | 150 | $35,445 | $25,000 |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 148 | $32,499 | $20,968 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 143 | $53,331 | $18,575 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 143 | $103,590 | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor's | 135 | $38,400 | $18,460 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor's | 133 | $64,114 | $25,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 130 | $29,439 | $20,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 127 | $45,417 | $21,118 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor's | 126 | $40,555 | $19,800 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 126 | $22,508 | $18,500 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 108 | $31,086 | $18,989 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | Bachelor's | 105 | $57,389 | $22,301 |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor's | 104 | $35,948 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master's | 93 | $64,052 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 88 | $28,884 | $22,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 88 | $52,275 | $20,876 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 83 | $34,673 | $22,714 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master's | 80 | $106,893 | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Bachelor's | 78 | $36,812 | $18,398 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master's | 78 | $58,529 | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About James Madison University
James Madison University is a very large institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 20,888 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Communication.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at James Madison University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $23,322 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $14,250 for in-state students and $31,604 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $31,735 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 79.7%, a strong completion outcome. 92.0% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $69,954 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
James Madison University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Communication. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (24% of credentials), social sciences (23% of credentials), health (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
James Madison University accepts 72% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,256. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 27.
Location & campus
Set in Harrisonburg, Virginia (city), James Madison University draws students from across Virginia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about James Madison University
Q.How much does James Madison University cost?
The average net price at James Madison University is $23,322 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $31,735.
Q.What is the graduation rate at James Madison University?
James Madison University has a 6-year graduation rate of 79.7% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into James Madison University?
James Madison University admits 72% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do James Madison University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median James Madison University graduate earns $69,954 per year.
Q.What is tuition at James Madison University?
Published tuition is $14,250 in-state and $31,604 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is James Madison University located?
James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia (ZIP 22807).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with James Madison University at their official website.