JMU’s popularity among new students continues to soar

For the first time in school history, James Madison University has eclipsed 44,000 undergraduate student applications in a recruiting class. 

Early Action decisions for the Class of 2029 were posted by JMU’s Office of Admissions on Thursday, Jan. 23 — beginning another exciting season for new Dukes. 

JMU received 44,782 total undergraduate applications by the January 15 deadline, a 7% increase from 2024’s 41,786 total and a 16% jump from 2023’s 38,728. This year’s mark is a remarkable 34% higher compared to 2022. 

According to Melinda Wood, JMU’s vice president for enrollment management, positive national exposure on several fronts has helped fuel the ongoing increase in popularity. 

“Once again, JMU continues to show that we are an institution to watch in terms of commitment to academic excellence and athletics,” Wood said, noting that the university’s Football Bowl Series Boca Raton Bowl victory was among a long list of impressive athletics showings on the national stage.

Wood points to significant hikes in Early Action applications across the past several years as having helped fuel JMU’s overall totals.

This year’s 40,072 first-year applications is a 10.5% jump from 2024’s record 37,048 total.

The national attention that Madison has received in the last couple of years is undeniable, Wood said, adding, “JMU is highly sought after as an institution of higher learning and I’m proud to see all that we continue to accomplish as a university.” 

JMU continues to see impressive growth from rural and first-generation students, Wood noted.

“Our national reputation as well as a student-focused, hands-on approach to learning make JMU appealing,” Wood said, “especially when you couple that with a strong campus community that is known for its supportiveness. I think those are all reasons why JMU becomes an attractive choice for many applicants.”

Other categories of note for the 2025 applicant pool represents 50% in-state and 50% out-of-state, respectively, a first in JMU’s history. The majority of in-state applicants hail from Northern Virginia, Richmond and Virginia Beach.

Top academic interest areas include exploratory, biology, nursing, psychology, marketing, finance, pre-medicine and pre-law.

This year’s pool included applicants from 4,134 different schools and also from 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 119 different countries. 

Roger Burke, interim director of admissions, lauded his team for its commendable work. “Our team continues to work tirelessly to read, review and select the very best students for admission each year,” he said, adding, “It is an honor to work alongside a team of consummate admission professionals.”