James Madison University (JMU) Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

James Madison University is a four-year public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university as the third best college in the South. In this guide, you’ll find the latest information about admission requirements, the JMU acceptance rate, tuition, financial aid, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In 2023-24, James Madison University tuition and other expenses are as follows:

•   Tuition in-state: $13,576, a 3.7% increase over the previous year

•   Tuition out-of-state: $30,790, a 2.1% increase over the previous year

•   Books and supplies: $1,254, a 6.6% increase over the previous year

•   On campus room and board: $12,584, a 4.5% increase over the previous year

•   Other fees: $4,560, a 8.6% increase from the previous year

Total costs, then, are as follows:

•   Total for in-state, on campus: $31,974, a 4.8% increase over the previous year

•   Total for out-of-state, on campus: $49,188, a 3.4% increase over the previous year

Financial Aid

JMU is “need blind,” which means that the university doesn’t base admission decisions on a student’s ability to pay. This can help applicants from lower and middle class families who may not be able to afford college costs without financial aid.

In 2022-23, 89% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received financial aid. More specifically:

•   Grants or scholarship aid: 81% received this type of aid with an average award of $4,456

•   Federal grants: 14% received this type of aid with an average award of $5,850

•   Pell grants: 14% received this type of aid with an average award of $4,814

•   Other federal: 7% received this type of aid with an average award of $2,592

•   State/local: 11% received this type of aid with an average award of $5,913

•   Institutional: 80% received this type of aid with an average award of $2,629

•   Student financial aid: 34% received this type of aid with an average amount of $9,972

•   Federal student loans: 32% received this type of aid with an average amount of $5,193

•   Other student loans: 8% received this type of aid with an average amount of $22,593

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

In 2022-23, 8% of JMU students received private student loans with an average amount of $22,593.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

In 2023-24, JMU cost $31,074 for in-state students. At that price, the cost for four years would be $124,296. (Keep in mind that total costs increased 4.8% year-over-year. If costs continue to rise at the same rate, the four-year bill would come out to $131,955.)

Out-of-state cost was $49,188 in total. At that price, four years of tuition would total $196,752. (With the same 3.4% increase in tuition we saw this year, the total would be $207,016.)

Here’s some Virginia Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2023-24, James Madison University tuition was:

•  In-state: $13,576

•  Out-of-state: $30,790

•  Total for in-state, on campus: $31,974

•  Total for out-of-state, on campus: $49,188

How does that compare to other colleges? The average total cost for four-year public universities in the U.S. is $28,840 for in-state, and $46,730 for out-of-state. JMU’s total costs are higher for both in-state and out-of-state students, but not by much.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2023-24, JMU tuition for graduate students was:

•  In-state tuition: $11,856

•  In-state fees: $1,224

•  In-state total: $$13,080

•  Out-of-state tuition: $29,304

•  Out-of-state fees: $1,224

•  Out-of-state total: $30,528

The average graduate student spends $21,730 on tuition and fees each year in the U.S.

Cost per Credit Hour

In 2024-25, in-state undergraduate students who take up to 11 credit hours will pay $463 per credit hour. Out-of-state students will pay $1,041 per credit hour.

Campus Housing Expenses

In 2022-23, housing costs were as follows:

•  On campus room and board: $12,584

•  Off campus housing: $900+/mo* for a one-bedroom

*JMU lists off-campus housing rentals here.