James Madison University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into James Madison University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

76.2%

Admission Difficulty for James Madison University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Difficult
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at JMU is 76.2%. Its admission rate is the 16th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into JMU and can you get accepted?

James Madison University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 27,258 out of the 35,750 who applied were admitted.

James Madison University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.57. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into JMU?

76% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to James Madison University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.57 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1250 on the SAT
Score 27 on the ACT
Graduate in the top half of your high school class

JMU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.57*

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into James Madison University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into JMU are to have around a 3.57 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.57 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as JMU accepts 76% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at JMU is 3.57 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #18 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since JMU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.57 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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JMU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to James Madison University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 19% of students submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1170-1320

Applicants Submitting SAT

19%

SAT Scores for James Madison University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	600
Math 25th Percentile	570
Composite 25th Percentile	1170

SAT Scores for James Madison University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	670
Math 75th Percentile	650
Composite 75th Percentile	1320
Average SAT Score	1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to James Madison University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at JMU is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1320. Students who get into James Madison University score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers.. JMU ranks #8 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. JMU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1090, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

James Madison University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1250 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1245, you have around a 76% chance of being admitted. A 1320 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 86% chance of getting in.

James Madison University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1320 and Above	Good	>86%
1245 to 1320	Avg +	76%-86%
1170 to 1245	Avg -	62%-76%
1095 to 1170	Reach	47%-62%
Less than 1095	Low	<47%

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JMU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

25-29

Applicants Submitting ACT

ACT Scores for James Madison University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	N/A
Math 25th Percentile	N/A
Composite 25th Percentile	25

ACT Scores for James Madison University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	N/A
Math 75th Percentile	N/A
Composite 75th Percentile	29
Average ACT Score	27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into JMU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to JMU is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 29. The school ranks #11 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 23.

3 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to James Madison University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as James Madison University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into JMU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 76% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 86% with a 29 ACT score.

James Madison University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29 and Above	Good	>86%
27 to 29	Avg +	76%-86%
25 to 27	Avg -	62%-76%
23 to 25	Reach	47%-62%
Less than 23	Low	<47%

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High School Class Rank

85% of James Madison University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted James Madison University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	14.7%
Top 25% of class	28.2%
Top 50% of class	85%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

James Madison University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	21,195	14,547	35,750
Accepted	16,850	10,403	27,258
Acceptance Rate	79%	72%	76%
Enrolled	2,815	2,105	4,922
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	17%	20%	18%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to James Madison University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to James Madison University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

James Madison University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at James Madison University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because James Madison University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.57 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1250 and ACT of 27 will almost guarantee your admission.