James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. It is best known for business, computer science, integrated science and technology, health sciences, communication and education, with a large residential campus and strong undergraduate teaching. Choose it for a well-regarded Virginia public university with Washington, DC within reach.
Harrisonburg, United States
Official website: jmu.edu
Top 130 (U.S. News)
R2 — high research activity
1908, named after US President James Madison
Around 22,000 students
$28,000 – $34,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$13,000 – $16,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on jmu.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Information Security
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Accounting
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Integrated Science and Technology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BBA Finance
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Undergraduate teaching — consistently praised for faculty attention and student satisfaction.
Integrated Science and Technology — an interdisciplinary engineering and technology degree.
The Quad — a bluestone campus in the Shenandoah Valley.
Strong alumni loyalty and a large sports culture in the Sun Belt Conference.
Graduates join Deloitte, EY, Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton and Washington-area federal contractors.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Accounting and business graduates are recruited by Big Four and Virginia firms.
Around 90% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months.
Undergrad
15 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The 720-acre campus is built from local bluestone, with the Quad at its centre, the science and technology buildings across Interstate 81 and residence halls on both sides.
Harrisonburg is a small city of about 55,000 in the Shenandoah Valley with low rent, mountain hiking and Shenandoah National Park nearby. Washington, DC is about two hours away.
Form I-20 issued by JMU
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, Early Action closes 1 November 2026 and Regular Decision closes 15 January 2027. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most master's closing between 1 February and 1 April for fall.
JMU admits undergraduates for the fall (August), and most master's programmes, including computer science, the MBA, information security and accounting, also start in the fall. A few graduate programmes accept spring entrants; check your programme's page.
You need an F-1 student visa. The Center for Global Engagement issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, the MBA, information security, accounting and integrated science and technology attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 and TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, with the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is moderately selective.
JMU offers limited merit scholarships to international undergraduates; need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for assistantships that include a stipend and tuition support, which are most common in the sciences and computing.
