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Summary
James Madison University is a public institution that was founded in 1908. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,900, its setting is city, and the campus size is 721 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. James Madison University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (South), 6. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,808 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,796 (2012-13).
James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Va., just over two hours from both Washington, D.C. and Richmond. There are a variety of clubs and organizations on campus—students interested in film can join the Cinemuse Film Club, or those with underwater pursuits in mind can join the Scuba Diving Club. The University Program Board is a student-run organization that organizes entertainment and educational events and activities for the campus community. A small but strong Greek system encompasses more than 20 fraternities and sororities representing about 1,500 undergraduate students. The James Madison Dukes, as JMU’s sports teams are called, compete at the NCAA Division I level, and their mascot is the Duke Dog. Only freshmen are required to live on campus in one of the more than 30 residence halls.
JMU is comprised of seven school and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate programs include the College of Business, College of Education, College of Integrated Science and Technology, and Graduate School. Undergraduates can choose from nearly 70 majors. JMU also has a strong study abroad program offering semester studies opportunities in Antwerp, Belgium; Beijing; Florence; London; and Salamanca, Spain, in addition to exchange programs through partner institutions all over the world. The school was not James Madison University until 1976; prior to that, it was known as Madison College.
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James Madison University is a public, comprehensive university and is the only university in America named for James Madison. The university offers programs on the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels with its primary emphasis on the undergraduate student. JMU provides a total education to students - one that has a broad range of the liberal arts as its foundation and encompasses an extensive variety of professional and pre-professional programs, augmented by a multitude of learning experiences outside the classroom. The quality of the JMU experience has been recognized repeatedly in many national publications. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1908 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | city |
| 2011 Endowment | $58,058,541 |
Applying
When applying to James Madison University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 15, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 15. The application fee at James Madison University is $50. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 59.9 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 59.9% |
| Application deadline | January 15 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at James Madison University is 16:1, and the school has 31.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at James Madison University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 91.2 percent.
Student Life
James Madison University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,900, with a gender distribution of 40.7 percent male students and 59.3 percent female students. At this school, 36.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 64.0 percent of students live off campus. James Madison University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at James Madison University.
| Total enrollment | 19,722 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
James Madison University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. James Madison University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at James Madison University, 51 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at James Madison University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 51% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At James Madison University, 37.7 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $6,910.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $8,808 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $22,796 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $8,630 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
