James Madison University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at James Madison University was $13,376 a year for in-state students and $30,466 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at James Madison University is $30,466 per year.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at James Madison University

James Madison University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $13,376 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Virginia residents, out-of-state tuition is $30,466 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Virginia residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to James Madison University?

JMU has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at James Madison University usually pay around $30,466 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at JMU:

•Loans from outsideJMU •Athletic Awards •JMU-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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James Madison University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at JMU.

Room and Board Costs at JMU

Housing and campus dining at JMU costs $12,040 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $5,508.

Board costs vary based on on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at JMU?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area may be costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. James Madison Universityis located in a small town setting in Virginia.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at James Madison University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to JMU.

How Much Does JMU Cost?

What will the cost of attending JMU be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$13,376
Out-of-State Tuition	$30,466
Room and Board	$12,040
Board Only	$5,986
Other expenses	$2,156

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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James Madison University Financial Aid

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In 2022, 6,692 of the 20,070 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. JMU meets 37% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,737 a year. Around 50% of JMU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. JMU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,542 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,116
Private Loans	$39,487

Most Common Loans for JMU Students
Federal Loans	46%
Private loans	15%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on JMU financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at James Madison University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, JMU awarded 4,198 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $45.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $9.09 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of James Madison University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for JMU students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at JMU was $11,737 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of JMU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$10,682
Net In-state, Off-campus	$16,213
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$39,509

What will attending JMU really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the JMU's net cost calculator on their website.

James Madison University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does James Madison University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About James Madison University

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