James Madison University
At James Madison University, student success spans the full educational journey—from clear pathways and strong academic support to hands-on career preparation and civic learning. The Madison Promise, JMU’s strategic plan, connects this work around a shared commitment to help students reach their potential and prepare to lead productive and meaningful lives. Through The JMU Guarantees, JMU extends career support beyond graduation to undergraduate alumni and their employers.
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Return on Investment
Return on InvestmentJMU supports value through an undergraduate experience that combines strong teaching, hands-on learning, undergraduate research, work-based learning and employer connections. The JMU Guarantees extend that support beyond graduation through continued career advising, coaching, networking and learning resources for eligible undergraduate alumni.
- Best value public college — The Princeton Review, 2027
- TOP 50Best value public college — The Princeton Review, 2027
- Top public school – U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- #67Top public school – U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- of Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates reached a positive career outcome within 6 months of graduation
- 95%of Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates reached a positive career outcome within 6 months of graduation
- six-year graduation rate
- 80%six-year graduation rate
Affordability
AffordabilityJMU’s Financial Aid & Scholarships office helps students explore available aid and scholarship opportunities and understand application steps, including the FAFSA and outside scholarships. The office offers a central point for students and families seeking guidance as they plan how to finance a JMU education.
- Best value public college — The Princeton Review, 2027
- TOP 50Best value public college — The Princeton Review, 2027
Academic Excellence
Academic ExcellenceJMU pairs rigorous, innovative academic programs with teaching that keeps students engaged and supported. Faculty bring scholarship into the classroom and create opportunities for students to apply ideas through research, creative inquiry and hands-on projects. Small classes and accessible academic support — including free tutoring, writing assistance and peer-led study sessions — help students build skills, ask questions and make progress toward their degrees.
The programs below are the ones the institution put forward against this commitment, with the outcomes it reports against each.
- Best Undergraduate Teaching — U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- No. 22Best Undergraduate Teaching — U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- Most Innovative Schools — U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- TOP 50Most Innovative Schools — U.S. News & World Report, 2027
- of classes taught by professors
- 97%of classes taught by professors
- Academic ExcellenceJames Madison UniversityMaking Internship Experience PossibleCareer Center scholarships help students offset the cost of full-time unpaid internships and take part in work-based learning.
- Academic ExcellenceJames Madison UniversityResearch Starts in Year OneFYRE pairs first-year and transfer students with faculty mentors for paid research or creative inquiry early in their JMU experience.
Career Pathways
Career PathwaysCareer preparation is integrated into the JMU experience through internships, undergraduate research, work-based learning, career coaching and employer connections. JMU reports graduates’ outcomes and, through The JMU Guarantees, extends career preparation and support beyond commencement.
The programs below are the ones the institution put forward against this commitment, with the outcomes it reports against each.
- of Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates reached a positive career outcome within 6 months of graduation
- 95%of Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates reached a positive career outcome within 6 months of graduation
- Best alumni network among public universities — The Princeton Review, 2027
- TOP 20Best alumni network among public universities — The Princeton Review, 2027
- of the Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates completed at least one work-based learning experience during their time as a student
- 84%of the Class of 2025 bachelor’s graduates completed at least one work-based learning experience during their time as a student
Dialogue & Community
Dialogue & CommunityThrough the Madison Center for Civic Engagement, JMU creates structured opportunities for students to practice listening, express views and engage across differences. Better Conversations Together: Dialogue pairs students for facilitated conversations about difficult issues and supports the civic, workplace and life skills needed to navigate disagreement constructively.
- nationally for Most Politically Moderate Students, The Princeton Review, 2027
- No. 2nationally for Most Politically Moderate Students, The Princeton Review, 2027
- of students said they felt more willing to engage in tough discussions after completing JMU's Better Conversations Together program
- 83%of students said they felt more willing to engage in tough discussions after completing JMU's Better Conversations Together program