James Madison University (JMU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About James Madison University
Set in the Shenandoah Valley, the campus rises in bluestone around a broad Quad. James Madison University is known for hands-on teaching across business, health, education, communications, arts, and the sciences. Students use modern labs and studios, well-stocked libraries, and creative tech spaces, with advising, tutoring, counseling, and career services focused on internships and mentoring.
Life here runs on community. Doors get held, professors linger after class, and the energy shows on the lawn and at games. There are active clubs, music and theater, intramurals, and quick access to trails, rivers, and winter slopes. Harrisonburg's downtown offers local food, arts, and internships with nonprofits, schools, and growing firms. Alumni ties open doors, and regional employers stay connected. Distinct touches include the bluestone look, a celebrated marching band, and Dukes pride. Notable alum: Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Haley.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
James Madison University (JMU) offers 75 degree programs across 23 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,616 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (10 programs, 1,044 graduates), Business (7 programs, 787 graduates), Education (15 programs, 525 graduates), Communication (1 programs, 455 graduates) and Social Sciences (6 programs, 415 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (10 programs, 1,044 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Health Counseling | 451 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1504 |
| Registered Nursing | 274 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 133 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0203 |
| Health Administration and Management | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
| Physician Assistant | 32 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Adult Health Nursing | 32 |
|
Master's
|
51.3803 |
| Occupational Therapy | 25 |
|
Master's
|
51.2306 |
| Athletic Training | 17 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Nursing Practice | 11 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3818 |
| Audiology | 7 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0202 |
Business (7 programs, 787 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 234 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 168 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 131 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Hospitality Management | 123 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Finance, General | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| International Business and Trade | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Business Economics | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
Education (15 programs, 525 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 163 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| General Education | 143 |
|
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 65 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0401 |
| Education, General | 27 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.9999 |
| Special Education Teaching | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 23 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1205 |
| Early Childhood Education | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Instructional Technology | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0501 |
| Adult and Continuing Education | 10 |
|
Master's
|
13.1201 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 10 |
|
Master's
|
13.1311 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0404 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1401 |
| Educational Assessment and Measurement | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0604 |
Communication (1 programs, 455 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 455 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0101 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 415 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 135 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| International Relations | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Sociology | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Geography | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
| Anthropology | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 341 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Management | 188 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 153 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0501 |
Psychology (4 programs, 336 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 318 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Applied Psychology | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2899 |
| School Psychology | 7 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology | 3 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2708 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 297 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science | 151 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0401 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 136 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0101 |
| Information Technology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0103 |
Arts (5 programs, 293 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 138 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0701 |
| Music Performance | 84 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Theatre Arts | 56 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music Pedagogy | 10 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0912 |
| Art History and Conservation | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 208 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 187 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Biotechnology | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1201 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at James Madison University (JMU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about James Madison University (JMU)
How much does it cost to attend James Madison University (JMU)?
The annual tuition at James Madison University (JMU) is $13,576 for in-state students and $30,790 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $31,974 for in-state students and $49,188 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,584 and books and supplies $1,254.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does James Madison University offer?
James Madison University (JMU) offers 75 academic programs across 23 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (10 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (15 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for James Madison University?
James Madison University (JMU) has an 76.2% acceptance rate and a 18.1% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 35,750
- Students admitted: 27,258
- Students enrolled: 4,922
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at James Madison University?
James Madison University (JMU) provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,456 and average loans of $9,972.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,814
- State/Local grants: $5,913
- Institutional grants: $2,629
- Federal loans: $5,193
The university supports 3,936 students with grants and 1,660 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for James Madison University graduates?
James Madison University (JMU) graduates earn a median salary of $57,438 after 6 years and $69,954 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $48,802 (25th percentile) to $100,257 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $102,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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