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James Madison University Ranking Badges

JMU earned 205 ranking badges in the 2027 College Factual rankings: 47 in the top 1%, 83 in the top 5%, 32 in the top 10% and 43 in the top 15% of the schools in each ranking. Its highest placement is #1 of 187 in Top Ranked Veterans for Writing Studies, a top 1% award.

Key facts

• Badges earned: 205 (2027 edition)
• In the top 1% / top 5%: 47 / 83
• Highest placement: #1 of 187, a top 1% award
• Fields of study with a badge: 23
• Placements this edition: 368
• Badge cutoff: a top 15% placement in a ranking

Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.

How Many Ranking Badges Has James Madison University Earned?

James Madison University holds 205 ranking badges across 23 fields of study, 130 of them in the top 5% or better; each badge is an award for placing in the top 15% of a ranking. College Factual re-runs each ranking as fresh data is published. This page reflects the 2027 edition. The tier columns show the best placement reached in each ranking. Learn more about our data sources and methodologies. Administrators interested in displaying College Factual badges can contact us.

Count by Award Level

Award Level	Badges
Top 1%	47
Top 5%	83
Top 10%	32
Top 15%	43
Total	205

What Is James Madison University Known For?

James Madison University is best known for Business, Management & Marketing: 16 of its 112 traditional-student awards are in that field. Its top-ranked majors include Other Communication & Journalism, Writing Studies and Educational Administration. Its highest traditional-student placement is #1 of 180 in Highest Paid Graduates for Writing Studies.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Best				✓
Overall Best (Southeast)				✓
Overall Best (Virginia)			✓
Male / Female Diversity (Virginia)	✓
Most Popular (Southeast)			✓
Most Popular (Virginia)			✓
Highest Paid Graduates (Southeast)			✓
Highest Paid Graduates (Virginia)		✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Biotechnology
Most Popular	✓
General Biology
Top Ranked	✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Finance & Financial Management
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular	✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Hospitality Management
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
International Business
Top Ranked		✓
Highest Paid Graduates				✓
Marketing
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Most Popular			✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Most Focused		✓
Other Communication & Journalism
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused	✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Computer Information Systems
Top Ranked		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Information Science
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular	✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Educational Administration
Top Ranked				✓
General Education
Most Popular		✓
Instructional Media Design
Top Ranked			✓
Other Education
Top Ranked			✓
Special Education
Top Ranked		✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked				✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
General Engineering
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
General English Literature
Top Ranked	✓
Writing Studies
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates				✓

Family, Consumer & Human Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Linguistics & Literature
Highest Paid Graduates	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Allied Health Professions
Top Ranked			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Health Sciences & Services
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓
Health/Medical Admin Services
Top Ranked			✓
Nursing
Top Ranked		✓
Rehabilitation Professions
Top Ranked	✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
History
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Security Science and Technology.
Top Ranked			✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked				✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Science, Technology & Society
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Systems Theory
Most Popular		✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Physics
Highest Paid Graduates			✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Public Administration
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular	✓
Social Work
Top Ranked	✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Economics
Top Ranked	✓
Geography & Cartography
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Music
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓

How Does James Madison University Rank in Athletics?

In College Factual’s 2027 athletics rankings, James Madison University earned 16 badges across 11 sports, 1 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #28 of 704 in Soccer.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Athletics	✓

Men’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball		✓
Football	✓
Golf		✓
Golf (D1)	✓
Soccer			✓
Soccer (D1)	✓

Women’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball	✓
Golf	✓
Golf (D1)	✓
Lacrosse		✓
Lacrosse (D1)	✓
Soccer	✓
Softball	✓
Volleyball		✓
Volleyball (D1)	✓

How Does James Madison University Rank for Online Students?

In College Factual’s 2027 online-program rankings, James Madison University earned 8 badges across 8 online programs, 4 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #2 of 109 in Most Popular Online for Health Sciences & Services.

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Educational Administration
Most Popular Online	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Health Sciences & Services
Most Popular Online				✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Systems Theory
Most Popular Online	✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Health & Physical Education
Most Popular Online		✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Chemistry
Most Popular Online	✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Geography & Cartography
Most Popular Online			✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Drama & Theater Arts
Most Popular Online			✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Most Popular Online			✓

How Does James Madison University Rank for Veterans?

In College Factual’s 2027 veterans rankings, James Madison University earned 69 badges, 68 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #1 of 187 in Top Ranked Veterans for Writing Studies.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Best for Veterans				✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Biotechnology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Biology
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Accounting
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Finance & Financial Management
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Hospitality Management
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
International Business
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Managerial Economics
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Marketing
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Computer Information Systems
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Information Science
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General English Literature
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Writing Studies
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Family, Consumer & Human Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Food, Nutrition & Related Services
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Linguistics & Literature
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Allied Health Professions
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Health/Medical Admin Services
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Mental Social Health Services
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Nursing
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Rehabilitation Professions
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
History
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Legal Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Legal Research
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Mathematics
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Science, Technology & Society
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Systems Theory
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Other Philosophy & Religion
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Chemistry
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Geological & Earth Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Physics
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Public Administration
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Social Work
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Anthropology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Economics
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Geography & Cartography
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
International Relations & Security
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Sociology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Music
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Continue Your Research on JMU

• All rankings for JMU
• JMU overview
• Best Colleges ranking
• JMU official website
• JMU on Wikipedia
• JMU on Twitter
• JMU on Facebook

Notes and References

The rankings above are built on federal education data, 2027 edition. James Madison University appears in 368 of the College Factual rankings covered on this page.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.