Getting in
For Fall 2025, 42,595 first-year students applied to JMU, 29,300 were admitted and 4,935 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 68.8%.
Source: JMU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 20,933 | 13,429 | 64.2% |
| Out-of-state | 21,513 | 15,740 | 73.2% |
| International | 149 | 131 | 87.9% |
Source: JMU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. JMU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: JMU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. JMU has no early decision plan. Its Early Action plan is non-binding and does not limit where else you apply early. The Common Data Set gives no early action counts, so it gives no early round acceptance rate.
Source: JMU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Every first-year applicant sends the JMU application and a high school transcript. Some programs ask for more:
- Honors College. Two short essays, written in the JMU application and due by your application deadline. The Honors College review is separate from the admission review.
Source: JMU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Art, Design and Art History. The Architectural Design, Art and Graphic Design BFA and the Industrial Design BS need an extra SlideRoom application with a portfolio, due November 13, 2026 for Early Action or February 5, 2027 for Regular Decision. The Art BA, Art BS and Art History BA need nothing extra.
Source: JMU College of Visual and Performing Arts, Arts Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Music. The Bachelor of Music and the BA in Music need an extra SlideRoom application. Bachelor of Music applicants audition in person or send a video with a portfolio.
Source: JMU College of Visual and Performing Arts, Arts Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Theatre, Musical Theatre and Dance. An extra SlideRoom application, due nine days before your audition. Auditions are in person or by video.
Source: JMU College of Visual and Performing Arts, Arts Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: JMU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
89 majors across 10 schools. Every bachelor's degree program in JMU's official 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, grouped by the college or school that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, pre-professional programs, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
College of Arts and Letters20
- Anthropology (B.A.)
- Anthropology (B.S.)
- Communication Studies (B.A.)
- Communication Studies (B.S.)
- English (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- International Affairs (B.A.)
- Justice Studies (B.A.)
- Justice Studies (B.S.)
- Media Arts and Design (B.A.)
- Media Arts and Design (B.S.)
- Modern Foreign Languages (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Religion, Major in Global Religions and Cultures (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Religion, Major in Philosophy (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Public Administration (B.S.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
- Sociology (B.S.)
- Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (B.A.)
- Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Arts and Letters (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Business11
- Accounting (B.B.A.)
- Business Management (B.B.A.)
- Computer Information Systems (B.B.A.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- Economics (B.B.A.)
- Economics (B.S.)
- Finance (B.B.A.)
- International Business (B.B.A.)
- Marketing (B.B.A.)
- Quantitative Finance Major with a Minor in Economics and Mathematics (B.S.)
- Quantitative Finance/Mathematics Double Major (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education5
- Elementary Education (B.S.)
- Inclusive Early Childhood Education (B.S.)
- Middle Grades Education (B.S.)
- Secondary Education (B.S.)
- Special Education (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Health and Behavioral Studies11
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.A.)
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.S.)
- Dietetics (B.S.)
- Health Sciences (B.S.)
- Health Services Administration (B.S.)
- Kinesiology (B.S.)
- Nursing (B.S.N.)
- Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N. (B.S.N.)For registered nurses completing a bachelor's degree.
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.S.)
- Social Work (B.S.W.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Health and Behavioral Studies (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Integrated Science and Engineering7
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Engineering (B.S.)
- Geography (B.A.)
- Geography (B.S.)
- Information Technology (B.S.)
- Integrated Science and Technology (B.S.)
- Intelligence Analysis (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Integrated Science and Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Science and Mathematics14
- Biology (B.A.)
- Biology (B.S.)
- Biotechnology (B.S.)Offered jointly by the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the School of Integrated Sciences; both colleges list it.
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry Major (B.S.)
- Geology (B.A.)
- Geology (B.S.)
- Geology, Environmental Earth Science Major (B.A.)
- Geology, Environmental Earth Science Major (B.S.)
- Mathematics (B.A.)
- Mathematics (B.S.)
- Physics (B.A.)
- Physics (B.S.)
- Statistics (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Science and Mathematics (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Visual and Performing Arts12
- Art History (B.A.)
- Art, Architectural Design Major (B.F.A.)
- Art (B.A.)
- Art (B.F.A.)
- Art (B.S.)
- Art, Graphic Design Major (B.F.A.)
- Art, Industrial Design Major (B.S.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Music (B.M.)
- Theatre (B.A.)
- Theatre, Dance Major (B.A.)
- Theatre, Musical Theatre Major (B.A.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, College of Visual and Performing Arts (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management2
- Hospitality Management (B.S.)
- Sport and Recreation Management (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
University Studies4
University Studies is the dean's office for Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, Independent Scholars and General Studies; the catalog lists these majors under Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies.
- Individualized Study, General Studies Major (B.A.)
- Individualized Study, General Studies Major (B.S.)
- Individualized Study, Independent Scholars Major (B.A.)
- Individualized Study, Independent Scholars Major (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, University Studies (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Professional and Continuing Education3
The Adult Degree Program's Individualized Study major, for students at least 22 years old with at least 30 transferable semester hours.
- Individualized Study (B.A.)
- Individualized Study (B.I.S.)
- Individualized Study (B.S.)
Source: JMU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, School of Professional and Continuing Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | Mid to late January | No |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | Mid to late March | No |
Deadlines are for every piece of the application: the online application and your transcripts. JMU does not consider an application that misses its deadline. The application fee is $70. Decisions are posted in the Applicant Center of MyMadison. The enrollment deposit is due May 1 for both plans.
Source: JMU Undergraduate Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
JMU no longer requires SAT or ACT scores. If you choose to send a score, official results must come electronically from the testing agency and arrive by the application deadline.
Source: JMU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also says, for fall 2027 applicants: JMU is test optional.
Source: JMU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked JMU's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: JMU Undergraduate Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at JMU, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $15,120 | $32,970 |
| Housing | $7,676 | $7,676 |
| Meals | $7,444 | $7,444 |
| Books and supplies | $1,372 | $1,372 |
| Transportation | $2,368 | $2,368 |
| Personal costs | $2,502 | $2,502 |
| Loan fees | $76 | $76 |
| Total | $36,558 | $54,408 |
For a full-time undergraduate, fall and spring. The tuition and fees line is an average that includes some course and program fees, such as College of Business and Nursing differential tuition. The other lines are JMU's estimates of what an average full-time undergraduate spends. This budget sets aid eligibility; it is not a bill.
Source: JMU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $11,444 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $12,977 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $16,475 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $22,343 |
| Over $110,000 | $30,147 |
| All incomes | $23,322 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from JMU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to James Madison University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Public77.8% admitted$15,435 average net price
Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · Public60.9% admitted$9,288 average net price
University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD · Public74% admitted$16,467 average net price
University of DelawareNewark, DE · Public72.6% admitted$17,799 average net price
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · Public86.5% admitted$17,915 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.