What SAT or ACT score do you need for James Madison University?

As of November 2026: James Madison University is test-optional for its current first-year application cycle, and enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1170 to 1320 in the middle half in fall 2023. The middle half of those who sent an ACT scored 25 to 29.

James Madison University is test-optional. Here is where enrolled first-years who sent a score landed, how many sent one, what it costs, and how we help families decide whether to send a score.

By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.

Only 19 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT. In the fall 2023 class, 19 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT and 3 percent sent an ACT. Most of the class enrolled without sending either test, so the score bands describe a smaller group of students.

The SAT middle half runs from 1170 to 1320. Enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1170 to 1320 in the middle half. A quarter of them scored below 1170. On the ACT, the middle half was 25 to 29.

James Madison University admitted 76.2 percent of applicants. For fall 2023, 35,750 students applied and 27,242 were admitted. We still tell families to build the strongest application they can, because no admit rate is a promise for any one student.

Does James Madison University require the SAT or ACT?

James Madison University is test-optional for the current first-year application cycle.

College	Policy	Applies to	Details	Source
James Madison University	Test-optional	current freshman application cycle (page copyright 2026, not tied to a named term)	Student-athletes who do not want test scores considered may omit them; official scores must arrive electronically by the application deadline if submitted.	Source

Test-optional means the university reads a score if one is sent, and a student may also apply without one.

James Madison University: score bands, who sends a score, how many get in, what it costs

Score bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in the fall 2023 class. Prices come from the College Scorecard.

Measure	Value
applicants, fall 2023	35750
admits, fall 2023	27242
admit rate, percent	76.2
SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	1170
SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	1320
ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	25
ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	29
share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent	19
share who sent an ACT, percent	3
application fee, dollars	70
full price of a year, dollars	31735
average net price after aid, dollars	23322

The bands describe the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent that test. They do not describe applicants who did not send a score.

Does James Madison University require the SAT or ACT?

James Madison University is test-optional for its current first-year application cycle, so your child may apply with or without an SAT or ACT score.

Test-optional means the university reads a score if your child sends one. Your child may also choose to apply without one. That choice belongs to your family.

If your child does send scores, the official scores must arrive electronically by the application deadline. Student-athletes who do not want their scores considered may leave them off.

The university's page does not tie this policy to a named term. We read it as the rule for high school seniors in the 2026-2027 school year, who start college in fall 2027. We tell families to check the page again in the weeks before they apply.

What SAT score do enrolled first-years at James Madison University have?

Enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1170 to 1320 in the middle half.

That band comes from the fall 2023 class, the latest federal numbers. A quarter of those students scored below 1170. A quarter scored above 1320. The rest sat inside the band.

Keep in mind who is in that group. These are students who enrolled and chose to send an SAT. It is not a line every applicant has to clear. It also says nothing about students who applied without a score.

What ACT score do enrolled first-years at James Madison University have?

Enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 25 to 29 in the middle half.

This band also comes from the fall 2023 class. A quarter of ACT senders scored below 25, and a quarter scored above 29.

Far fewer students sent the ACT than the SAT, so this band rests on a smaller group. We use it the same way we use the SAT band. It shows where the middle of score-senders landed. It is not a minimum.

How many James Madison University students send a test score?

In the fall 2023 class, 19 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT and 3 percent sent an ACT. At a selective test-optional college like this one, we tell families it is nearly always good to have a score: a strong one bolsters the odds of getting in, and most merit scholarships are keyed to a score.

That means most of the class enrolled without sending either test. The bands on this page describe only the students who did send one.

We find this helps parents breathe easier. Many students at James Madison University chose not to send a score. If your child's score does not fit, your child is in plenty of company by applying without it.

Should my child send a score to James Madison University?

Our rule for James Madison University is simple: a score inside or above 1170 to 1320 on the SAT, or 25 to 29 on the ACT, is one to send.

A score below the band is one to think hard about. At a test-optional college, your child can apply without it. We tell families to look at the whole application and ask whether the score adds to it or pulls attention away from stronger parts.

A score just under the band and a score far under it are different choices. You know your child's record best. If your child is close, more prep before the deadline may move the score into the band. In our experience, that is often a better path than deciding today.

How hard is it to get into James Madison University?

James Madison University admitted 76.2 percent of applicants for fall 2023.

That year, 35,750 students applied and 27,242 were admitted.

We tell families not to treat a high admit rate as a promise for any one student. Our advice is to build the strongest application your child can, with or without a score, and to apply on time.

What does it cost to apply to and attend James Madison University?

The application fee at James Madison University is $70.

The full price of a year is $31,735. The average net price after aid is $23,322. Your family's own price may be higher or lower, depending on income and the aid your child receives.

Every US college must publish a net price calculator, and James Madison University has one. We tell families to run it with real tax numbers early, before senior year gets busy. It gives you a far better picture than any average.

What should we do this month?

Test Prep Gurus offers a free full-length mock SAT and a free full-length mock ACT, and this month is a good time for your child to sit both.

Compare each result with the bands on this page: 1170 to 1320 on the SAT and 25 to 29 on the ACT. Pick the test where your child starts stronger, and focus there.

Then plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. Our rule is to prepare for the whole test every sitting, not just one section, because the full score is what your child will send.

To book a free mock or talk with our team, call 949.229.5359 or visit https://www.prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step.

Questions parents ask

Is James Madison University test-optional?
James Madison University is test-optional for its current first-year application cycle, so your child may apply with or without an SAT or ACT score.

What SAT score do students at James Madison University have?
Enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1170 to 1320 in the middle half.

What ACT score do students at James Madison University have?
Enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 25 to 29 in the middle half.

How many James Madison University students sent a test score?
In the fall 2023 class, 19 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT and 3 percent sent an ACT.

Should my child send a score below the band?
A score below the band is one to think hard about.

How much does it cost to apply to James Madison University?
The application fee at James Madison University is $70.

Ready to plan the next test date? Free mock SAT and free mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus, then a plan built on the result: prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step or 949.229.5359.

Method and sources: The policy comes from James Madison University's own first-year admissions page, which describes the current freshman application cycle and does not name a specific term. The SAT and ACT bands describe enrolled first-years who submitted that test in the fall 2023 class, the latest federal data, and they leave out students who applied without a score. Applicant, admit and score-sending figures come from the same federal data, and prices come from the College Scorecard.