Lincoln Laboratory engineers, 
admissions officers, and Ivy League counselors. Proud partner of 
James Madison University admitted student profile
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- SAT (middle 50%): 1170-1340
- ACT (middle 50%): 24-29
James Madison University admits most applicants who clear its academic bar. If your GPA and scores are in range, your odds here are genuinely strong.
What you need to get into James Madison University
Aim to land inside or above the middle 50% range. A SAT around 1340 or an ACT around 29 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students and makes James Madison University a stronger bet. Below 1170, you are below the typical admit and the rest of your application, essays, rigor, and activities, has to carry more of the decision.
Is James Madison University a reach, target, or safety for you?
Run your numbers through the calculator above and it will tell you. As a rule: if your stats sit above James Madison University's range and it is not highly selective, it is a safety. If you are in range, it is a target. If you are below range, or the school admits fewer than one in four applicants, it is a reach for almost everyone. A smart college list balances all three, so pair James Madison University with schools in each tier.
Want the full picture? See how to actually get into James Madison University, or run the all-school acceptance calculator to build a balanced list.
Frequently asked questions
What are the chances of getting into James Madison University?
James Madison University has a 72% acceptance rate, but that is an average across all applicants, not your personal odds. Your real chances depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus your essays, rigor, and activities. Use the calculator above to estimate your odds from your own profile.
What SAT score do you need to get into James Madison University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at James Madison University scored 1170-1340 on the SAT. Scoring above 1340 puts you in the top quarter of admits; scoring below 1170 means you are below the typical admitted student and will need the rest of your application to carry more weight.
What ACT score do you need to get into James Madison University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at James Madison University scored 24-29 on the ACT. Above 29 is strong, below 24 is below the typical admit.
Is James Madison University a reach, target, or safety school?
It depends on your profile. If your stats are above James Madison University's admitted range and its acceptance rate is high, it is a safety. If you are in range, it is a target. If you are below range, or the school is highly selective, it is a reach. The calculator above tells you which, based on your numbers.