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
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 560 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1241 | 1140 | 1320 |
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
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 29 |
| ACT English | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 29 |
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.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 26.JMU Profile
Name: James Madison University (JMU)
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
How much does a degree from JMU Cost?
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
How can I get a scholarship?
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.
How much a JMU Graduate make?
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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | University of Arizona, AZ | 1229 | 25 |
| John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | Dominican University of California, CA | 1192 | 24 |
| University of Redlands | University of Redlands, CA | 1215 | 28 |
| Whittier College | Whittier College, CA | 1231 | 27 |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO | 1199 | 26 |
| University of Hartford | University of Hartford, CT | 1201 | 26 |
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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Hendrix College, AR | 1246 | 27 |
| Biola University | Biola University, CA | 1250 | 27 |
| Whittier College | Whittier College, CA | 1231 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Eckerd College, FL | 1238 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, FL | 1237 | 26 |
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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL | 1291 | 27 |
| The University of Alabama | The University of Alabama, AL | 1304 | 27 |
| Auburn University | Auburn University, AL | 1292 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ | 1278 | 28 |
| Chapman University | Chapman University, CA | 1316 | 29 |
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
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $69954 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for James Madison University?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $29043 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at James Madison University?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are lower, 50% or less. It's important to apply early and showcase a strong academic profile.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for James Madison University?
Answer: The acceptance rate of James Madison University is 78.31 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at James Madison University?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is 3.57. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to James Madison University?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around 3.27, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at James Madison University with a 3.27 GPA?
Answer: If your GPA is 3.27 or less, it may makes admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to James Madison University if my GPA is below 3.17
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.57, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement for James Madison University?
Answer: Admission to James Madison University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1241 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1140-1320
Question: Is it possible to transfer to James Madison University from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to James Madison University each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at James Madison University?
Answer: The campus culture at James Madison University is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into James Madison University?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive 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.