# James Madison University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/james-madison-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Harrisonburg, VA
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 20,888
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

With nearly 21,000 students, James Madison University is a solid choice for those looking for a vibrant campus life and a range of academic options. The school shines in fields like Health Professions, Business and Marketing, Communications, Social Sciences, and Psychology. This diversity allows students to explore their interests while preparing for various career paths. The 72% acceptance rate suggests that a wide range of applicants can find their place here, making it an accessible option for many.

Looking at life after graduation, the numbers are encouraging. Graduates earn a median salary of about $69,954 ten years after leaving, which speaks to the value of the education received here. The affordability factor is also worth noting; with a net price of $23,322 after aid, many students find a manageable financial path. While we don’t have specific mobility data, these earnings indicate that graduates are positioned well in the job market.

When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt of $20,093 suggests that students can graduate without being overwhelmed by loans. This balance makes James Madison University appealing for those who are cautious about debt. The student body tends to thrive in a collaborative environment that values both academic success and personal growth, which helps foster a supportive community for all.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 72% |
| SAT Average | 1256 |
| ACT Midpoint | 27 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $14,250 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $31,604 |
| Average Net Price | $23,322 |
| Median Debt | $20,093 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 17% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 29% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $11,444 |
| $30K-$48K | $12,977 |
| $48K-$75K | $16,475 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $30,147 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 80% |
| Retention Rate | 92% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $57,438 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $64,070 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $69,954 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.29x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 74.85% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 4041.0% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 185.2% |
| Parent Median Income | $134,300 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.78 |
| Friending Bias | -0.00 |
| Volunteering Rate | 7.6% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 0.274% |
| Total Patents | 56 |
| Total Citations | 140 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Health Professions | 18% |
| Business & Marketing | 14% |
| Communications | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
| Psychology | 6% |
| Computer Science & IT | 6% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 6% |
| Education | 5% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 48 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Education Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-virginia)
- #2 in [Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-virginia)
- #2 in [Best Communications Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-virginia)
- #4 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-virginia)
- #4 in [Best MBA Programs in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-virginia)
- #5 in [Best Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-virginia)
- #5 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-virginia)
- #5 in [Best Master's Programs in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-virginia)
- #6 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-virginia)
- #6 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-virginia)
- #7 in [Best Business Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-virginia)
- #9 in [Best Biology Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-virginia)
- #16 in [Best Large Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-large-universities)
- #19 in [Best ROI Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-education)
- #20 in [Best Colleges in Southeast](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-southeast)
- #20 in [Best Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-communications)
- #20 in [Best Bachelor's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-communications)
- #21 in [Best Master's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-communications)
- #23 in [Best ROI Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-nursing)
- #23 in [Best ROI Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-public-health)
- #23 in [Best ROI Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-healthcare-administration)
- #24 in [Best ROI Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-communications)
- #27 in [Best Public Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-public-universities)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-nursing)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-public-health)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-healthcare-administration)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-communications)
- #29 in [Best Public University Bachelor's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-public-bachelors)
- #29 in [Best Public University MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-public-mba)
- #31 in [Best Public University Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-public-masters)
- #31 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-education)
- #40 in [Best Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-nursing)
- #40 in [Best Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-public-health)
- #40 in [Best Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-healthcare-administration)
- #40 in [Best Bachelor's in Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-nursing)
- #40 in [Best Bachelor's in Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-public-health)
- #40 in [Best Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-healthcare-administration)
- #40 in [Best Master's in Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-nursing)
- #40 in [Best Master's in Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-public-health)
- #40 in [Best Master's in Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-healthcare-administration)
- #46 in [Best Colleges for Low-Income Inventors](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/innovation-for-low-income)
- #47 in [Best Public Universities for Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-public-universities-mobility)
- #48 in [Best Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-education)
- #48 in [Best Bachelor's in Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-education)
- #49 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-education)
- #50 in [Best Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-universities)
- #50 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-virginia)
- #50 in [Best Master's in Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-education)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "James Madison University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/james-madison-university