James Madison University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

James Madison University

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James Madison University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 73%. Students may apply to JMU on the Coalition Application or the university's website. James Madison offers 60 undergraduate degree programs with majors in business being the most popular. JMU has a high retention and graduation rate compared to similar public universities, and the school frequently ranks well nationally for both value and academic quality. The attractive campus located in Harrisonburg, Virginia features an open quad, a lake, and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. In athletics, the JMU Dukes compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association.

Considering applying to James Madison University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, James Madison University had an acceptance rate of 73%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 73 students were admitted, making James Madison's admissions process somewhat competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 24,449
Percent Admitted 73%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 26%

SAT Scores and Requirements

With the exception of recruited student-athletes, James Madison University does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission. Students may opt to submit SAT/ACT scores if they believe it will strengthen their application. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 60% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th percentile 75th percentile
ERW 570 650
Math 550 640
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that of the JMU admitted students who submitted scores, most fall within the the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to James Madison scored between 570 and 650, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 650. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 550 and 640, while 25% scored below 550 and 25% scored above 640.

Requirements

The SAT is optional at James Madison University. Students may submit their SAT scores if they believe they will add to their application. Division I recruited student-athletes are required to provide access to their SAT scores to determine eligibility per NCAA guidelines.

ACT Scores and Requirements

With the exception of recruited student-athletes, James Madison University does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission. Students may opt to submit SAT/ACT scores if they believe it will strengthen their application. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 8% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th percentile 75th percentile
Composite 24 30

This admissions data tells us that of the JMU admitted students who submitted scores, most fall within the top 26% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to JMU received a composite ACT score between 24 and 30, while 25% scored above 24 and 25% scored below 30.

Requirements

The ACT is optional at James Madison University. Students may submit their ACT scores if they believe they will add to their application. Division I recruited student-athletes are required to provide access to their ACT scores to determine eligibility per NCAA guidelines.

GPA

James Madison University does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

James Madison University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph
James Madison University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to James Madison University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

James Madison University is a selective public university that rejects over 25% of all applicants. To get in, most students will need to have taken rigorous high school coursework and received above-average grades. Minimum requirements include 4 years of math, 3 years of laboratory science, 4 years of English, 4 years of social science, and 3-4 years in the same foreign language (or 2 years of 2 different foreign languages). JMU is looking for students who have taken college level Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Honors-level coursework. If a student believes it will strengthen their application, they may submit a personal statement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and standardized test scores, however, these items are not required.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and James Madison University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "James Madison University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/jmu-gpa-sat-act-data-786516. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 28). James Madison University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/jmu-gpa-sat-act-data-786516 Grove, Allen. "James Madison University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/jmu-gpa-sat-act-data-786516 (accessed March 28, 2024).