Can you get into James Madison University?
Harrisonburg, VA · Public · 20,888 students Here is the class that got in, and where your numbers land inside it.
Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.
The admitted class · 2024
What it took to get in
Acceptance rate
71.5%
SAT middle 50%
1170–1340
median 1225
ACT middle 50%
24–29
median 27
Testing
Required
23% submitted an SAT
Graduation rate
80%
within six years
Common App
Accepted
Reported by the college
What James Madison University actually reads
Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It is the most useful thing they say about admissions and almost nobody reads it, because knowing that an essay is very important here and class rank is not considered changes where the work should go.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Grades
- Course rigor
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Work experience
Not considered
Reported as playing no part in the decision.
- Class rank
- Legacy
From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether James Madison University considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it does not ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set we use that instead.
Deadlines · 2026 cycle
When to apply
- Early ActionNovember 1, 2026
- Regular DecisionJanuary 15, 2027
James Madison University fills part of its class in the early round, where admit rates typically run higher. Early Decision is binding, so it only fits a clear first choice.
Real cost · 2024 data
What families actually pay
The sticker price is $31,735, but almost nobody pays it. Average net price at James Madison University by family income, after grants and scholarships:
- Under $30k$11,444
- $30k–$48k$12,977
- $48k–$75k$16,475
- $75k–$110k$22,343
- Over $110k$30,147
U.S. Department of Education data: average net price per year for aided first-time students. Your number depends on your family’s finances.
Keep going
More on James Madison University
Harder to get into
About as selective
Common questions
James Madison University admissions, answered
What is James Madison University's acceptance rate?
James Madison University admits 71.5% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).
What SAT score do you need for James Madison University?
The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1170 and 1340. A score above 1340 clears the 75th percentile; below 1170, the rest of the application has to carry more weight.
Is James Madison University test-optional?
No. James Madison University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for the 2026 cycle.
What does James Madison University look for in an application?
James Madison University reports that it weighs grades, course rigor most heavily. Anything it lists as not considered is worth knowing too, because effort spent there does not count here.
How much does James Madison University actually cost?
Sticker price is $31,735, but the average family pays $23,322 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $11,444 per year on average.
What Spike does with this
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