Harrisonburg, Virginia · ★ 3.7 / 5 Overall (3 Student Reviews)
Alma mater / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Public · 4-year · Doctoral
James Madison University (JMU, Madison, or James Madison) is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1908, the institution was renamed in 1938 in honor of the fourth president of the United States, James Madison. It has since expanded from its origins as a normal school and teacher's college into a comprehensive university. It is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, just west of Massanutten Mountain.
Best Athletic Facilities
Ranked #3 in Best Athletic Facilities (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Best Campus Food
Ranked #3 in Best Campus Food (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Students Love Their School Teams
Ranked #9 in Students Love Their School Teams (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Unfiltered student reviews about the real
experience at this University
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800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22807
Visit University SiteIntramural Sports
Ranked #11 in Intramural Sports (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Most Beautiful Campus
Ranked #14 in Most Beautiful Campus (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Students Love These Colleges
Ranked #14 in Students Love These Colleges (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Best Health Services
Ranked #18 in Best Health Services (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Happiest Students
Ranked #21 in Happiest Students (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
Best College Dorms
Ranked #22 in Best College Dorms (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
National rank
Ranked #121 in Forbes Top Colleges (2026). Source: Forbes ↗
National Universities
Ranked #148 in National Universities (2025). Source: US News ↗
Value rank
Ranked #266 on Washington Monthly Best Bang for the Buck. Source: WM Best Value ↗
National rank
Ranked #313 in the US by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR US ↗
World rank
Ranked #1999 globally by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR World ↗
25th–75th percentile
SAT total: 1170–1320
SAT ERW: 600–670
SAT math: 570–650
ACT composite: 25–29
Total: 22,758
Undergrad: 21,006
Undergrad full-time: 19,492
Graduate: 1,752
Part-time: 2,349
In-state
Tuition: $13,576
Total cost on campus: $31,974
Out-of-state
Tuition: $30,790
Total cost on campus: $49,188
Room & board: $12,584
Books & supplies: $1,254
Receive aid: 89%
Avg grant aid: $4,456
Pell grant recipients: 14%
Rent: $890 / mo
Average city asking rent, as a roommate share. Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Coffee: $5.50
State average cafe price. Numbeo, 2024.
Gas: $4.22 / gal
State average price. AAA.
Average meal: $10.31
Published board plan, per meal. IPEDS.