Admission & test scores

James Madison University SAT scores and acceptance rate

Admitted students scored 1170–1340 on the SAT, with an ACT midpoint of 27. James Madison University admits 72% of applicants — largely open. 92% of first-year students return for a second year.

SAT range1170–1340middle half of admits
ACT midpoint27admitted students
Acceptance rate72%largely open
First-year retention92%return for year two

Reading the score band These are the scores admitted students had — not a cut-off.

25th percentile
1170
Average
1256
75th percentile
1340

A quarter of admitted students scored below 1170 and a quarter above 1340. Being under the lower figure does not rule you out — it means the rest of the application has to carry more weight — and being above the upper one does not secure a place at a selective university. This intake sits inside a student body of about 20,888.

Universities with similar scores Useful for building a realistic application list.

UniversityAvg SATACTAcceptanceIn-state tuition
Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee 1256 26 68% $40,572
Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York 1255 27 83% $40,330
University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 1257 26 86% $9,620
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama 1258 27 88% $9,098
Michigan Technological University Houghton, Michigan 1258 28 92% $19,123
Ohio Northern University Ada, Ohio 1252 25 74% $39,800

Getting in is the first question, not the last

Admission data says nothing about what the degree costs or returns. Before accepting an offer, read the net price for your family's income and the earnings of previous graduates — a place at a selective university financed with heavy borrowing can be a worse outcome than a place at a less selective one that costs little.

James Madison University admission: common questions

What SAT score do you need for James Madison University?
The middle half of admitted students scored between 1170 and 1340 on the SAT, with an average of 1256. A score inside that band is competitive; below it you would be relying on the rest of the application.
What ACT score does James Madison University require?
The ACT midpoint of admitted students is 27.
How hard is it to get into James Madison University?
James Madison University admits 72% of applicants, which is largely open. Of those who enrol, 92% return for a second year.
Does James Madison University require SAT or ACT scores?
This page reports what admitted students scored, not what the university requires. Many US universities went test-optional and have not returned to a requirement — always check the admissions page before deciding to skip a test.
What it costs Student loan record Debt vs graduate salary Highest SAT universities Highest acceptance rates SAT & ACT preparation

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, acceptance rate and first-year retention as most recently published. Scores describe past intakes and are not an entry requirement.