THE EXPERIENCE
Connections are the HEARTBEAT OF JMU.
Founded in 1908, JMU is fast becoming one of the guiding lights in higher education.
92% undergraduate student body
1,752 graduate students 92%
21,006 undergraduate students
90% First-Year Retention Rate
■ Students from 52 states and territories and 100+ countries
■ 58% female / 42% male
■ 23% students of color
■ 1% international
of our classes are taught by professors, a rarity for schools our size
of our graduates have done research, a practicum, an internship or student teaching 80% 98%
student faculty ratio 17:1
■ Over 130 undergraduate programs of study
■ Average class size = 24
■ 89% of classes have fewer than 50 students
28% of our students study abroad before they graduate
If
THE JMU DIFFERENCE
At JMU, you will experience an intellectual freedom unmatched at most universities. Combine project-based learning across all disciplines with professors who truly care about you and the result will spark your potential to think creatively, learn differently and lead purposefully.
HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES...
Learning by Serving
Run by the Autism Society of North Carolina, Camp Royall provides JMU students a special spring-break chance to volunteer as day program camp counselors for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Coordinated through JMU’s Community Engagement and Volunteer Center, the trip gives Dukes the chance to do some good while seeing the world through many different lenses.
Hands-On Learning
With courses such as Anti-Money Laundering and Hacking for Diplomacy, JMU X-Labs brings together students from across multiple disciplines to solve the coolest, most challenging problems around. The results? One includes a student-made chemistry app that helps with the modeling of molecules. At JMU, hands-on learning changes everything.
Washington Semester
The JMU Washington Semester program enables students to explore the wealth of political and cultural opportunities available in the Washington, D.C., area. This popular program includes semester-length internships, courses taught on site, panel discussions by people employed in the field and networking slots with JMU alumni working the D.C. area.
Scan for more stories that show how JMU students are making their marks.
Adventure here
Hike, bike, snowboard, kayak or whatever else makes your heart happy. This beautiful area has it all.
Study here
With 1.5 million annual visits, JMU Libraries are much more than just books.
Chill here
On a warm day, relax on the Quad or toss a Frisbee with friends. You will certainly not be alone.
Eat here
D-Hall is among 28 amazing on-campus choices. There is a reason why JMU dining has been top 15 in the U.S. for decades!
Play here
Our spectacular University Recreation Center has something for everyone.
Cheer here
School spirit is alive and well at JMU. There are five state-of-the-art on-campus venues where fans can let the world know that their Dukes rule.
Live here
Wayland Hall is among 23 residence halls that house first-year students on campus.
Our school spirit is its own BRAND OF UNIQUE.
■ School colors are PURPLE and GOLD
■ Mascot is Duke Dog
17
NCAA Division-1 sports
■ Sun Belt Conference non-varsity club sports that battle teams from other colleges
JMU students soak up so much positive energy because of the unmatched school spirit and the vibe here that learning takes on a life of its own.
Dukes fans filled the JMU Quad with 26,000 people for ESPN College GameDay in 2023, setting an all-time record crowd for the show.
50+
5,000+
Dukes who have fun and compete in intramural sports
“If you want to make a difference, JMU is an incubator of opportunity.”
—Dr. Bob Kolvoord, Dean, College of Integrated Science and Engineering
Top Public Schools –National Universities
—U.S. News & World Report 2024
JMU ranks among the top 100 Best Colleges for Future Leaders, a mark acquired from a polling of CEOs and business leaders from across the country.
— Time.com 2024
ONE AMAZING VALUE
Thanks to a new Carnegie Commission classification of R2 Doctoral University with high research activity, JMU is now officially recognized for its worldclass academic excellence and national prominence.
TOP
14%
JMU falls in the top 14% of four-year U.S. public colleges for Return on Investment
—Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
400+
With 400+ clubs and organizations on campus, you will find something that will pique your interest and help you grow.
#29
Colleges with the Best Student Life in America — Niche 2024
11 programs supporting social emotional well-being available through JMU’s on-campus Counseling Center
JMU’s supportive community will HELP YOU SHINE.
Ready to apply?
FIRST-YEAR ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Nonbinding Early Action – Nov. 1
Regular Decision – Jan. 15
TWO REQUIRED STEPS
1
2
Application – Apply online at jmu.edu/applynow
Transcripts – Official high school transcripts and senior year schedule must be sent by the application deadline.
OPTIONAL INFORMATION
n One letter of recommendation
n Personal essay/statement
n Standardized test scores (18% of applicants submitted in 2023-24)
n SAT mid-50% range: 1210-1370
n ACT mid-50% range: 26-31
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS REQUIREMENTS
Most fine and performing arts areas require an additional application,
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Admission to JMU is competitive and strong applicants are selected based on the following criteria:
n Core academic courses: English, social science, foreign language, lab science and mathematics*
n Grades: Mostly A’s and B’s in core academic classes
n Rigor of course work: AP, IB, Dual Enrollment and Cambridge International, in addition to honors-level courses.
Other things considered include involvement in extracurricular activities and additional information found in the letter of recommendation and in the personal essay/statement.
Students can earn college credit for AP, IB, DE and CI courses taken in high school. More info: jmu.edu/admissions/earncredit
* Mathematics requirement: One full year beyond Algebra II in a course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. If you have questions, please contact your JMU Admissions Counselor. jmu.edu/admissions/contact
Applications: 39,776
Applicants accepted: 27,449
2023-24 First-Year Acceptance Rate
Applicants enrolled: 4,750
TRANSFER ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Spring – Oct. 15
Summer – Feb. 1
Fall – March 1
TWO REQUIRED STEPS
Application – Apply online at jmu.edu/applynow
Transcripts – All official college and high school transcripts must be sent by the application deadline. 1 2
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
n A completed college class in each core area: English, mathematics, lab science, social science
n Grades: Mostly A’s and B’s earned in core academic classes
Learn more: jmu.edu/admissions/transfer
START YOUR TRANSFER JOURNEY WITH THE JMU NEXT PROGRAM
JMU Next is an academic advising program assisting transfer students with course selection and scheduling, prior to applying to JMU, to ensure application and academic program requirements are met.
Learn more: jmu.edu/transfer/next
Affording JMU
2024-25 TUITION AND FEES
(full-time student per year)
*Courses within the College of Business and School of Nursing have additional course fees.
FINANCIAL AID
To determine your eligibility for assistance, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
FAFSA Open date: Oct. 2024
Priority filing date: March 1
JMU’s Federal School Code: 003721
More at: jmu.edu/financialaid
SCHOLARSHIPS
JMU awards more than 500 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The process is very competitive due to the high caliber of students admitted. Signature scholarship programs at JMU include:
n Madison Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship
n Second Century Scholarship
n Centennial Scholars
n Honors College Dingledine-Bluestone Scholarship
For more details, visit jmu.edu/admissions/scholarships
Clery Act: https://www.jmu.edu/police/clerycompliance/index.shtml
Programs of Study
Accounting
Anthropology
Architectural Design
Art
Art History
Biology
Biophysical Chemistry
Biotechnology
Business (see specific majors)
Business Management
Chemistry
Civic Leadership
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Dance
Dietetics
Digital Studies
Digital Video and Cinema
Early Childhood Education (Inclusive)
Earth Science
Economics
Education (see individual programs)
Elementary Education
Engineering
English
Environmental Humanities
Exploratory (undeclared)
Finance
General Studies
Geography
Geology
Global Religions and Cultures
Graphic Design
Health Sciences
Health Services Administration
History
Hospitality Management
Human Resource Development
Illustration
Independent Scholars
Industrial Design
Information Technology
Integrated Science and Technology
Intelligence Analysis
International Affairs
International Business
Journalism
Justice Studies
Kinesiology
Marketing
Mathematics
Media Arts and Design
Medical Humanities
Middle Grades Education
Modern Foreign Languages
Music
Music Industry
Musical Theatre
To learn more about all academic programs, visit jmu.edu/programs
Nursing Philosophy
Physical and Health Education
Teacher Education
Physics
Political Science
Pre-Athletic Training
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Theology
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Psychology (General)
Public Administration
Quantitative Finance
Science, Technology and Society
Secondary Education
Social Justice Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Special Education
Sport and Recreation Management
Statistics
Theatre
Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communications
