James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · offers Graduate degrees

Small city

72%Acceptance rate
$23,322Average net price / year
80%Graduation rate
$69,954Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$20,093Median debt at graduation
20,888Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
$31,604
Total cost of attendance
$31,735
Room & board
$13,056
Books & supplies
$1,298
Average net price
$23,322

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$11,444
$30–48k
$12,977
$48–75k
$16,475
$75–110k
$22,343
$110k+
$30,147

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
71.5%
Average SAT
1256
SAT reading (25–75%)
600–680
SAT math (25–75%)
570–660
ACT composite (25–75%)
24–29

Outcomes

Graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
92%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$57,438
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$69,954
Median debt (graduates)
$20,093
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
17%
Students with federal loans
29%

Programs: what graduates earn

58 of 92 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General136$81,761$19,500
Information Science/Studies149$80,173$19,500
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing286$76,490$19,350
Accounting and Related Services78$71,563$22,500
Engineering, General66$71,176$24,750
Finance and Financial Management Services129$67,849$19,500
Business Administration, Management and Operations130$65,931$19,000
Systems Science and Theory50$65,683$21,500
Economics58$62,286$17,000
Marketing170$61,692$19,500
Mathematics43$58,810$20,500
Science, Technology and Society71$54,235$22,784
Health and Medical Administrative Services69$53,913$19,500
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities146$49,408$21,000
Public Administration56$48,396$18,250
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences26$48,118$21,500
Hospitality Administration/Management85$46,915$19,875
Chemistry28$45,799$23,750
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services34$45,122$18,879
Geography and Cartography61$45,094$19,500
International Relations and National Security Studies53$44,667$18,138
Communication and Media Studies413$42,769$20,500
Political Science and Government110$42,128$19,286
Biotechnology32$41,832$21,000
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies70$40,966$25,000
Music69$36,106$20,968
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness272$35,955$19,500
Biology, General179$34,159$20,594
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions415$33,971$20,500
Fine and Studio Arts115$33,501$22,125
Psychology, General330$31,734$21,500
Social Work44$31,687$17,990
Sociology37$31,513$17,946
Anthropology23$30,686$20,500
History69$29,000$20,018
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other14$28,712$21,250
English Language and Literature, General39$26,049$21,000
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services27$24,860$16,375
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft63$24,306$19,000
International Business34$68,304$16,250
Physics15$93,914—
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services71$48,116$19,500
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies37$48,132$21,891

Master's degree

Students

Undergraduates
20,888
Graduate students
2,023
Part-time
5%
Women / men
56% / 44%
White
72%
Hispanic
9%
Black
5%
Asian
5%
International
1%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
17:1
Avg faculty salary
$98,244 / year
Full-time faculty
81%
Accreditor
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Website
www.jmu.edu/index.shtml
Also known as
JMU

Most popular fields

  • Communication & Journalism – 10% of degrees
  • Computer & Information Sciences – 7% of degrees
  • Education – 4% of degrees
  • Liberal Arts & General Studies – 4% of degrees
  • Biological Sciences – 4% of degrees
  • Interdisciplinary Studies – 3% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at James Madison University?

71.5% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1256 on the SAT.

How much does James Madison University cost?

The average net price after grants is $23,322 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $14,250 and the full cost of attendance is $31,735.

How much do James Madison University graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $69,954 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

80% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Harrisonburg

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofit · 754 students
$24,588100%67%$54,869

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.