James Madison University Reviews

  • 46 Reviews
  • Harrisonburg (VA)
  • Annual Tuition: $30,152
94% of 46 students said this degree improved their career prospects
98% of 46 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Amanda Michetti
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2019
"I was in the Departments of Political Science and Foreign Languages with my degrees in International Affairs and Arabic at James Madison University in Virginia. I found both departments and program excellent. I had great experiences with almost all of my professors and with the content that I learned. I concentrated on Middle East with my International Affairs major and had a basic understanding of the largest challenges with the region. I wish JMU had had more Middle East specific courses, but that is mostly student driven. My Arabic program was in a way self made - I actually started the Arabic major at JMU because I took so many Arabic courses and even did some independent study courses. I also studied abroad in Lebanon which was a very exciting offering for me as a student interested in the Middle East and Arabic. I will say in general, with any undergraduate degree it's important to understand that you will not come out an expert in any field and instead a Bachelor's provides you insight to topics and areas you find interesting and want to work in or pursue further education. Being from the Washington, DC area, a Bachelor's is also a benchmark to get your foot in the door and is a test of whether or not you can be responsible, show up for class, and get good grades. Keep in mind that your first jobs will likely ask you for your GPA especially if you have little to no job experience. GPA will also be incredibly important if you plan to go back to school for graduate work. Additionally, I feel strongly that college is not only about the education, but also about the clubs and programs that are available to you. I was able to get a great deal of leadership experience in almost every organization I joined. This helped me build my network as well and I still call on friends I made in my organizations for support in my professional career. Developing true bonds inside and outside the classroom with peers and professors can really enhance your college experience. My favorite program I participated in at JMU was our Washington Semester. I was able to apply for this program to go to DC for a semester and intern for college credit. I had control over where I applied and accepted. I had the opportunity to intern at the State Department in Spring 2011 which was the start of the Arab Spring. I still have great relationships with my supervisors at State almost 10 years later and had a true Washington and full time working experience when I was 21 years old. This was a highlight during my JMU career. Post-graduation, I also recommend you keep in touch with your alumni network. JMU's Political Science Department does a fantastic job with the alumni network and it's important to continue meeting people even after graduation."
Bingo
  • Reviewed: 3/31/2019
  • Degree: Communications
"Excited about this program and pursuing advocacy. Be forewarned through, the program is really a communication studies master's degree program. Although they accept students from all majors, previous communication majors will be more successful as the program is taught as you have a communications BA. Advocacy and being a community advocate is a fleeting theory in most classes. There is also a preference for those that have attended JMU as an undergraduate, then as a graduate student. They may be referred to as the superstars."
Taylor Daddario
  • Reviewed: 10/8/2018
  • Degree: Psychology
"James Madison is located in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the most scenic and peaceful experience just driving to the university. This place made it possible for me to not only meet my life long friends but get a great educate where I can apply my knowledge. JMU may be a medium sized school but it feels like a small community. Everyone is friendly and the school is known for its door holding policy. The academics are great and all of the professor I had were always helpful. I am still friends with my professors and check in with them. JMU really works with students to provide the best experience. The sports programs are wonderful as well. JMU is the dream!"
John Kowalski
  • Reviewed: 9/23/2018
  • Degree: Finance
"The genuine student life cultivated at James Madison University is equal to the quality of education you will receive. Coupled with the value found at a top public research institution, any high school student should give JMU serious consideration. You will be embraced by faculty, challenged to expand your own mind, all in a quaint small-town/rural setting, with the Blue Ridge Mountains and the charming bluestone architecture as your backdrop. Professors doors are always open, help is right at your fingertips, all you need to do is seek it out. Voted perennially as one of the most high-tech public universities in the country, you will have access to everything current in business, science, media and more. Many James Madison graduates go on to study in top tier master's programs, and have historically performed exceedingly high in their fields of study. In the major science, business and media programs at James Madison, students typically command between fifty and sixty thousand dollars salary their first year or two out of school. Thus, the bargain tuition is paid off fairly quickly upon graduation. Personally, James Madison University has left me with not only a world class education at a very reasonable price, the experience has also left me with lasting friendships and relationships. Nearly twenty years since freshman orientation, I am still in close contact with the core set of hallmates and suitemates from my first-year dormitory placement. More so, I still keep up with two of my economics professors via email, a couple times per year. If value added, student life, the opportunity to make lasting connections and to study at a premier public research institution is part of your criteria for college, you should certainly consider James Madison University when exploring your undergraduate options."
Nadine Simmons
  • Reviewed: 8/6/2018
  • Degree: Business Administration
"James Madison University is a wonderful school to attend. They have a great student community, the campus is outstanding, as well as their sports program. James Madison University has a wonderful campus, it is such a lovely place. They have a number of schools within the university so your options are many. I attended the College of Business, they had a number of courses that really prepared me for when I graduated. The professors were always available and coach classes were always very helpful if i fell short on a subject. There were always activities on campus during the week and on the weekends. Home Coming was always a wonderful treat and the games were always well attended. Attending James Madison University was and will always be one of the best experiences I could have had. The administration was very helpful and always willing to help a student during whatever they may be going through."
Victoria Ferramosca
  • Reviewed: 2/13/2018
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"James Madison University was probably the best choice school of the undergraduate programs I applied to. I absolutely loved the environment of the campus, the rigor of the course schedule, and the helpfulness of the professors on campus. The Harrisonburg area is incredibly safe and welcoming and could not have picked a better place for my undergraduate career. I believe it has greatly assisted me in my preparation for graduate school. I know a lot of people who left JMU with careers being started and grad programs to go to. I, myself, was accepted into 2 graduate programs for physical therapy, which is highly competitive. JMU is an amazing school with hard, but worth taking classes with great people to surround yourself with."
Sarah James
  • Reviewed: 6/21/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"I very much enjoyed my time at JMU. It really opened my eyes to my love for service and how much I wanted to keep giving back to community. There was an excellent service community and I found it had prepared me for my service year as a City Year in Washington, D.C. Also, the social work department encouraged the students to go onto their masters when they were ready, which is my I am pursuing an MSW in the fall at NYU."
Margaret Weber
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"I feel absolutely blessed to have been able to study social work at JMU. I met my role models through my professors, best friends and supports through my fellow classmates, and learned more than I could possibly imagine. JMU provided me with experiences and education to allow me to become a competent and professional social worker. Before school, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do but following graduation, I knew I was in the right field. Anyone considering social work, please attend JMU in order to obtain the best education experience possible."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Public Health
"I had a great experience and learned a lot. My master's program included many projects with non-profits and county governments which provided valuable experience."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Education
"I enjoyed my experience there. I love the all in one degree and masters wrapped up in a nice 5 year program"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: History
"JMU has a beautiful campus and excellent faculty!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Education
"JMU prepared me so well for my career, that I don't have much of a learning curve when I got my first job. The culture and atmosphere of JMU also provided me with countless memories and stories."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Education
"Great professors, fun, full of opportunities"
Alexandra Reed
  • Reviewed: 3/30/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"The biology program at JMU was challenging. I definitely had to work hard, and the curriculum gradually increased in difficulty. However, all of the courses I took built off of each other, so the flow of the program was excellent. JMU as an institution is full of students who genuinely love the school, which made the stresses of college manageable. The campus is remarkably beautiful, both during winter and spring semester. Despite JMU not being my first choice when choosing a college, I am pleased with the education I received and it adequately prepared me for graduate school, in which I am currently pursuing my Master's degree at the Medical University of South Carolina."
Angela P
  • Reviewed: 3/13/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"The JMU Grad school provided an excellent opportunity to learn in a variety of ways. We not only learned from the classroom and reading but through experiential exercises, discussion, and hands-on practice. It also provided great opportunities to supplement some costs through a variety of Graduate Assistantships throughout campus. The staff is helpful and concerned with not only your career and academic growth, but personal growth as well."
Jeremiah Park
  • Reviewed: 3/11/2017
  • Degree: Military Science
"JMU is the best school! Their education program is very professional and organized. All of the professors are there to help you succeed and mold you into an amazing teacher. They offer a 5 year Masters Program in Elementary Education. The facilities are modern and resourceful. The campus is safe and lively."
Abdulai Bangura
  • Reviewed: 3/6/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"Biology program at James Madison University is a rigorous program. I suggest entering the program solely as a necessity to obtain your career goal. This is a highly credible program and succeeding here will help you get many looks for job opportunities and graduate programs. However, it is not easy so come prepared and ready to work."
Kira Heeschen
  • Reviewed: 2/27/2017
  • Degree: Early Childhood Education
"College is not just about the piece of paper you get after your time there. That piece of paper is extremely important, but there is so much behind it that will shape your life forever. James Madison University is a place where you get an amazing education that builds up to your diploma, but gives you experiences and memories that will mean the world to you 50 years down the line. JMU requires its students to complete a well-rounded general education course load, and the instructors do a great job of meeting students where they are at and fostering meaningful and impactful learning. The resources available at JMU work so well to make sure that all students are supported academically, emotionally, socially, and culturally. JMU is a place where all walks of life can come in a find a place that they can call their new home. JMU cherishes the diversity of its students and fosters a wonderfully inclusive, welcoming and exciting place to be. Even now that I have graduated I still call JMU my home, and I will always bleed purple!"
Allison C.
  • Reviewed: 2/22/2017
  • Degree: Communications (Technical)
"I cannot express enough how the WRTC program has enabled me to excel as I've made my way into the professional world. The largest benefit the program gave me was a broad set of technical and writing skills--I have found myself able to cater how I communicate my skill set to whatever job type I'm going after, whether that be technical writing, editing publications, or even the computer science field. I was able to tailor the program to fit what I was most passionate about, which for me was technical writing and editing in healthcare. JMU is very lucky to have a program like WRTC in a world where technical communication is both necessary and constantly evolving."
Thomas Matecki
  • Reviewed: 2/21/2017
  • Degree: Mathematics
"A mathematics degree from James Madison University will equip you with problem solving skills to succeed in a variety of work environments. The skills you will gain are not particular specialized, but provide an awesome platform to build day to day professional skills. For example I largely studied applied mathematics and the programming skills come in handy on a daily basis in my job as an enterprise software engineer. The professors and JMU are wonderful."