US CollegesGetting in
James Madison University admits 72% of those who apply, which makes it open to most applicants. The median admission rate of colleges on this site that report one is 77%. The average SAT score of admitted students is 1256 out of 1600 (midpoints: 620 in reading and writing, 605 in maths). The midpoint ACT score is 27 out of 36.
What it costs
| Tuition and fees, students from Virginia | $14,620 |
| Tuition and fees, students from elsewhere | $32,230 |
| Room and meals on campus | $14,368 |
| Books and supplies | $1,336 |
| Average full cost of a year (tuition, living, books), before aid | $33,276 |
| Average net price after grants and scholarships | $23,550 |
The net price is what students who got federal aid paid on average for a year after grants and scholarships were taken off (for a public college, students from inside the state). It is 6% above the median net price of colleges in Virginia on this site ($22,186). International students are normally charged the out-of-state tuition and do not receive US federal aid.
Net price by family income
| Family income a year | Average net price |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | $14,379 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $14,452 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $16,960 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $22,031 |
| Above $110,000 | $31,907 |
For students who received federal aid. A negative figure means grants were larger than the cost counted.
For an estimate that fits your own family, use the college's net price calculator.
Results
| Measure | This college | VA median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students who come back for a second year | 92% | 75% | 73% |
| Students who finish their degree (within one and a half times the normal length) | 80% | 52% | 49% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting | $75,482 | $56,693 | $53,132 |
| Median federal loan debt of those who finish | $19,500 | $21,843 | $19,994 |
Medians are the middle value of the colleges on this site in Virginia and in the whole country. Completion and return rates count first-time, full-time students. Earnings and debt count students who received federal aid.
The students
17% of undergraduates receive a Pell Grant, the federal grant for students from lower-income families. 31% take a federal student loan. The undergraduate body is 56% women and 44% men. By undergraduate numbers it is number 5 of the 72 colleges in Virginia on this site that report a size; the middle-sized one has 1,217.
Other colleges in Virginia of a similar size
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, public
- University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, public
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, public
- George Mason UniversityFairfax, public
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, public
- William & MaryWilliamsburg, public
Common questions
What is the acceptance rate of James Madison University?
James Madison University admits 72% of applicants, according to the College Scorecard.
How much is tuition at James Madison University?
Published tuition and fees are $14,620 a year for students from Virginia and $32,230 for others. Most students with aid pay less: see the net price.
What is the graduation rate of James Madison University?
80% of first-time, full-time students finish within one and a half times the normal length of the course.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, data released on 2 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Net price, debt and earnings describe students who received US federal aid. Costs change each year. This is official data for general information, not advice: confirm costs and admission rules on the college's own website and at collegescorecard.ed.gov.