James Madison University Acceptance Rate
Harrisonburg, Virginia · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 35,750
- Admitted
- 27,258
- Yield
- 18.1%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, James Madison University's acceptance rate has risen from 65.7% in 2014–15 to 76.2% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 22,550 to 35,750 (+59%) over that period.
Its 76.2% rate makes James Madison University more selective than about 50% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Virginia schools, it is more selective than about 63%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (79.5% for women vs 71.5% for men, a 8-point gap). James Madison University has been test-optional since 2017–18. Of admitted students, 18.1% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 22,550 | 14,823 | 65.7% | 4,364 |
| 2015–16 | 21,439 | 15,559 | 72.6% | 4,408 |
| 2016–17 | 21,304 | 15,366 | 72.1% | 4,505 |
| 2017–18 | 21,100 | 15,867 | 75.2% | 4,669 |
| 2018–19 | 23,149 | 16,467 | 71.1% | 4,541 |
| 2019–20 | 23,579 | 18,098 | 76.8% | 4,456 |
| 2020–21 | 23,922 | 19,255 | 80.5% | 4,505 |
| 2021–22 | 21,176 | 18,265 | 86.3% | 4,767 |
| 2022–23 | 30,727 | 24,062 | 78.3% | 4,863 |
| 2023–24 | 35,750 | 27,258 | 76.2% | 4,922 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 21,195 | 16,850 | 79.5% |
| Men | 14,547 | 10,403 | 71.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 600–670 | 19% |
| SAT Math | 570–650 | |
| ACT Composite | 25–29 | 3% |
How James Madison University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is James Madison University's acceptance rate?
James Madison University's acceptance rate is 76.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (27,258 admitted of 35,750 applicants).
Is James Madison University test optional?
James Madison University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to James Madison University?
James Madison University received 35,750 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 27,258.
What SAT score do you need for James Madison University?
Admitted students at James Madison University typically scored 600–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 570–650 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is James Madison University getting harder to get into?
James Madison University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 65.7% in 2014–15 to 76.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.jmu.edu/.