We know that success requires equal parts intellect and action. At JMU, that’s what Being the Change is all about.
We know that success requires equal parts intellect and action. At JMU, that’s what Being the Change is all about.
When students graduating from James Madison University proudly walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, they’re more than just educated. They’re members of a fellowship of doers. They know how to make things happen. They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work ethic and they’ve become committed to and skilled at collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they leave campus determined to live lives of meaning and pursue careers of purpose.
Only two hours from Washington D.C., JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education. That’s because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are at JMU because they want to pursue knowledge and teach talented students.
JMU students, faculty and alumni are using equal parts intellect and action to succeed in every sort of pursuit: they’re boosting innovation and discovery, leading in business, advancing culture, improving health care, reforming education, renewing civil society, competing in athletics — they’re Being the Change in every imaginable way.
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Undergraduate students: 20,070
Graduate students: 2,096
Programs of study: 139
Student/faculty ratio: 16:1
#1 Most recommended public university in the U.S. by Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Ed
#1 Best college in Virginia for getting a job from U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia
TOP 10 Best public undergraduate teaching in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountain ranges in the western part of Virginia, JMU's campus offers stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. Our beautiful surroundings and picture-perfect campus is what makes JMU the most Instagrammed location in the state of Virginia.
There is always something to do on campus: Concerts, movies, sports events, plays, guest speakers, art installations, a planetarium, a 125-acre arboretum; the list goes on and on. With 30 on-campus dining options, JMU has also been rated for decades among the top 15 schools in the U.S. for dining.
Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, are only two hours away by car. A regional airport is a 20-minute drive and features direct flights to major hubs in D.C. and Chicago. Virginia and the region offer many opportunities for entertainment, cultural enrichment and the exploration of history.
