• TypeUniversities
• LocationHarrisonburg, The United States
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James Madison University (JMU) is a public university founded in 1908 and located in Harrisonburg, in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley (United States). Harrisonburg has just over 53,000 inhabitants, and more than 70 languages are spoken in its school district.

JMU offers more than 70 majors and over 130 undergraduate programmes, an Honors College and study abroad. Graduate programmes, mostly taught on campus, cover art and music, business, communication, humanities and social sciences, education, health and behavioural studies, and science, technology and mathematics. The College of Business and the School of Nursing are among its academic units, and there are more than 500 student organisations.

International applicants submit an online application with a US$70 fee, official transcripts in English, one letter of recommendation, a financial certification form and proof of English, for example IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 81 or Duolingo 120. Applicants who meet the academic requirements but not the English level can join the International Year Program at the JMU International Study Center. International Student and Scholar Services helps with visas, immigration and culture shock. The estimated cost for international students in 2026-27 is about US$53,000 including living expenses.

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800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA, The United States, 22807

Master's and doctoral programmes grouped in six areas:

• Art and music
• Business
• Communication, humanities and social sciences
• Education
• Health and behavioural studies
• Science, technology and mathematics

Most are taught on campus in Harrisonburg; some are online, hybrid, off-campus or abroad. Graduate applicants apply through the Graduate School.

International undergraduate application checklist:

• Online application and US$70 application fee
• Official transcripts (complete, original, in English)
• Proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers
• One letter of recommendation
• Copies of any temporary visa documents
• Financial certification form (US$53,250 for the I-20 in 2026-27)

SAT or ACT scores are optional. Some countries have additional requirements; applicants from China are advised to complete a third-party interview.

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries prove English proficiency in one of these ways (scores sent directly by the testing agency):

• IELTS 6.5 overall (three sub-scores at 6.5, one at least 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT 81, or 4.5 on the new scale for tests after 21 January 2026
• Duolingo English Test 120
• PTE Academic 58 (all sub-scores above 56)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced 176, GTEC CBT 1210 or SAT EBRW 500
• GCSE/O level in English, or study in a native English-speaking country

Applicants who meet all academic requirements but not the English level can apply to the International Year Program at the JMU International Study Center.

Estimated costs for international undergraduates, 2026-27 academic year:

• Tuition and insurance: US$33,862 per year
• Living expenses (housing, food and incidentals): US$15,088 per year
• Books and personal expenses: US$4,300
• Internet fee: US$276

The financial certification required for the I-20 is US$53,250. Courses in the College of Business and School of Nursing carry additional fees. Graduate out-of-state tuition is US$1,338 per credit hour (2026-27).

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/international/admissions-process.shtml