James Madison University
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Harrisonburg, Virginia
Net price / year
$23,322
after grants & scholarships
higher than 96% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
72%
Graduation rate
80%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 94% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$70,627
4 years after graduating
higher than 82% of public 4-year colleges
James Madison University at a glance
- What is the tuition at James Madison University?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $14,250 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $31,604 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at James Madison University?
- The average cost of attendance is $31,735 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at James Madison University?
- The average net price for in-state students is $23,322 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at James Madison University?
- About 72% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at James Madison University?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1170–1340 and an ACT composite of 24–29 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at James Madison University?
- 80% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of James Madison University earn?
- The median graduate earns $70,627 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- At $23,322 a year, the average net price is higher than 96% of public 4-year colleges.
- 80% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 94% of public 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.7 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- Graduates earn a median $70,627 four years after finishing, more than 82% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,444 a year on average, versus $30,147 for families earning over $110,000.
Tuition and cost of attendance at James Madison University
Average net price (in-state)
$23,322 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the James Madison University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$93,288
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $11,444
- $30–48k $12,977
- $48–75k $16,475
- $75–110k $22,343
- $110k+ $30,147
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $31,735
- Tuition & fees$14,250
- Books & supplies$1,298
- Room & board$13,056
- Other expenses$4,672
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $14,250
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $31,604
James Madison University acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from James Madison University
Graduation rate
80%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
91%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$213
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.7 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 3.6%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 80%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $48,802 · median $69,954 · 75th percentile $100,257
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 5,798 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 14%
- Making progress 17%
- Not making progress 11%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 46%
- Deferment 11%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
5,798 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at James Madison University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 140 | $113,345 | 1 yr$80,1734 yrs$113,3455 yrs$111,126 | U.S. median $85,294 U.S. middle half $59.8K–$116.9K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 157 | $104,926 | 1 yr$67,8494 yrs$104,9265 yrs$113,644 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 73 | $104,806 | 1 yr$81,7614 yrs$104,8065 yrs$109,603 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 107 | $98,767 | 1 yr$71,5634 yrs$98,7675 yrs$88,619 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 61 | $91,761 | 1 yr$71,1764 yrs$91,7615 yrs$88,212 | U.S. median $89,359 U.S. middle half $73.4K–$108.8K · Above the U.S. median | $24,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $91,141 | 4 yrs$91,1415 yrs$96,946 | U.S. median $73,201 U.S. middle half $51.3K–$98.8K · Above the U.S. median | $16,250 |
| Systems Science and Theory Bachelor's · Graduates: 54 | $91,034 | 1 yr$65,6834 yrs$91,0345 yrs$101,452 | U.S. median $88,036 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$134.9K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 157 | $89,944 | 1 yr$61,6924 yrs$89,9445 yrs$85,936 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 215 | $87,056 | 1 yr$76,4904 yrs$87,0565 yrs$79,692 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median | $19,350 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $86,681 | 1 yr$62,2864 yrs$86,6815 yrs$96,390 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Above the U.S. median | $17,000 |
Show all 42 programs
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 139 | $85,137 | 1 yr$65,9314 yrs$85,1375 yrs$82,511 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,000 |
| Science, Technology and Society Bachelor's · Graduates: 97 | $82,455 | 1 yr$54,2354 yrs$82,4555 yrs$80,699 | U.S. median $67,452 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$93.1K · Above the U.S. median | $22,784 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 87 | $77,393 | 1 yr$53,9134 yrs$77,3935 yrs$74,897 | U.S. median $58,716 U.S. middle half $41.9K–$80.4K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $75,295 | 1 yr$58,8104 yrs$75,2955 yrs$82,836 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $74,631 | 1 yr$45,7994 yrs$74,631 | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median | $23,750 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 72 | $73,326 | 1 yr$42,1284 yrs$73,3265 yrs$68,443 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $19,286 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 66 | $71,626 | 1 yr$48,3964 yrs$71,6265 yrs$69,552 | U.S. median $65,093 U.S. middle half $47.2K–$86.7K · Above the U.S. median | $18,250 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 87 | $68,798 | 1 yr$44,6674 yrs$68,7985 yrs$66,783 | U.S. median $66,596 U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Above the U.S. median | $18,138 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 379 | $67,033 | 1 yr$33,9714 yrs$67,0335 yrs$67,436 | U.S. median $52,119 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$68.6K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 404 | $66,436 | 1 yr$42,7694 yrs$66,4365 yrs$66,067 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Biotechnology Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $65,893 | 1 yr$41,8324 yrs$65,893 | U.S. median $67,097 U.S. middle half $46.7K–$89K · Below the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $65,770 | 4 yrs$65,7705 yrs$64,730 | U.S. median $58,928 U.S. middle half $45K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 134 | $65,016 | 1 yr$46,9154 yrs$65,0165 yrs$65,319 | U.S. median $56,726 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Above the U.S. median | $19,875 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 60 | $63,768 | 1 yr$45,0944 yrs$63,7685 yrs$60,642 | U.S. median $57,853 U.S. middle half $42.5K–$75.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 220 | $63,065 | 1 yr$35,9554 yrs$63,0655 yrs$65,422 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 135 | $62,914 | 1 yr$34,1594 yrs$62,9145 yrs$60,841 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,594 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 56 | $62,366 | 1 yr$45,1224 yrs$62,3665 yrs$62,734 | U.S. median $49,984 U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Above the U.S. median | $18,879 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $61,496 | 1 yr$40,9664 yrs$61,4965 yrs$60,571 | U.S. median $62,654 U.S. middle half $46.7K–$84.5K · Below the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $60,841 | 1 yr$30,6864 yrs$60,8415 yrs$54,211 | U.S. median $46,676 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $59,604 | 1 yr$28,7124 yrs$59,604 | U.S. median $46,083 U.S. middle half $31.4K–$63.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,250 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $59,501 | 1 yr$24,8604 yrs$59,5015 yrs$59,500 | U.S. median $54,945 U.S. middle half $39.1K–$70.7K · Above the U.S. median | $16,375 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 278 | $58,026 | 1 yr$49,4084 yrs$58,0265 yrs$53,680 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 52 | $57,487 | 1 yr$26,0494 yrs$57,4875 yrs$49,084 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 50 | $57,179 | 4 yrs$57,1795 yrs$68,972 | U.S. median $48,471 U.S. middle half $32.2K–$67.3K · Above the U.S. median | $21,891 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 204 | $56,212 | 1 yr$31,7344 yrs$56,2125 yrs$57,124 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $55,782 | 1 yr$29,0004 yrs$55,7825 yrs$57,370 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $20,018 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 115 | $54,093 | 1 yr$33,5014 yrs$54,0935 yrs$50,618 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median | $22,125 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $52,991 | 1 yr$31,6874 yrs$52,9915 yrs$54,376 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Above the U.S. median | $17,990 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $51,882 | 1 yr$36,1064 yrs$51,8825 yrs$45,783 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Above the U.S. median | $20,968 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $51,500 | 1 yr$48,1184 yrs$51,5005 yrs$56,834 | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $48,774 | 1 yr$31,5134 yrs$48,7745 yrs$56,440 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Below the U.S. median | $17,946 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 52 | $45,225 | 1 yr$24,3064 yrs$45,2255 yrs$30,339 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Above the U.S. median | $19,000 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 72.3%
- Black or African American 4.7%
- Hispanic or Latino 8.8%
- Asian 5.3%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
- Two or more races 5.7%
- U.S. nonresident 0.7%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 2.3%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 43.6%
- Women 56.4%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
3%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 20,888
- Part-time students
- 5%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 17%
- Receive federal loans
- 29%
- Students per faculty member
- 17 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at James Madison University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, James Madison University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $14,250 for in-state students and $31,604 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at James Madison University?
The average cost of attendance at James Madison University is $31,735 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $23,322 a year. That is higher than 96% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at James Madison University get?
17% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 29% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $11,444 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $30,147 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at James Madison University?
James Madison University admitted about 72% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for James Madison University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1170–1340 and an ACT composite of 24–29 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at James Madison University?
80% of first-time, full-time students at James Madison University finish within 150% of normal time. 91% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do James Madison University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $70,627 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $48,545.
Is James Madison University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For James Madison University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.7 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $20,093, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 80% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things