James Madison University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

James Madison University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of James Madison University (JMU) is 78.31%. This means that 78 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

How Competitiveness is James Madison University Admissions?

• Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
• GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
• A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as JMU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.

James Madison University Admission Requirements

JMU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at JMU is 3.57. JMU is highly selective.

Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.27 and 3.57, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.17 GPA to secure admission.

Can I Get Into JMU Without SAT Or ACT?: James Madison University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

James Madison University (JMU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

James Madison University Average SAT Score: 1241
The average SAT score of the admitted students at James Madison University is 1241 on the 1600 SAT scale.

James Madison University SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to well to score 1241 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. James Madison University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1140, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to JMU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

James Madison University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1140 then you are below most of the admitted students at JMU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1320 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250

Can I get into James Madison University (JMU) with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at James Madison University (JMU) are good but the admission staff at JMU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

James Madison University (JMU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at JMU is 26.

James Madison University ACT Competitiveness

This score makes James Madison University Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 26 on the ACT.

James Madison University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into James Madison University with a 29 ACT?

With a 29 ACT Score, your chances of admission at James Madison University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at James Madison University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

JMU Profile

Name: James Madison University (JMU)

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

The average annual cost of the degree at James Madison University is USD: 29043. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at James Madison University is USD: 22465

14.27% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 30.08 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to JMU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At James Madison University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist JMU as your choice in the form.

The average annual salary of the JMU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 69954. An average JMU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than James Madison University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of James Madison University, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as James Madison University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for James Madison University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than James Madison University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

• Accounting and Related Services
• Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
• Anthropology
• Biology, General
• Biotechnology
• Business Administration, Management and Operations
• Business/Managerial Economics
• Chemistry
• Communication and Media Studies
• Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Frequently Asked Questions About James Madison University Admissions

Full list of All degree programs offered by James Madison University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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