JMU's tuition & fees has increased from $25,152 (2015) to $31,312 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 24.49% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $27,240 (year 2015) to $30,984 (year 2025).
JMU's tuition increase rate is lower than the Virginia's average increase rate of 24.89%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 26.65% from 2015 ($39,746).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, JMU's COA is $50,338, which is increased by 2.34% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to JMU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 24.49% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $25,496. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at James Madison University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,298, and it has increased 32.99% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $976 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $990 | 1.43% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,016 | 2.63% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,038 | 2.17% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,056 | 1.73% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,082 | 2.46% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,098 | 1.48% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,176 | 7.10% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,254 | 6.63% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,298 | 3.51% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 26.02% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 26.02% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at James Madison University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $13,618 | $13,618 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $13,484 | $13,484 | -0.98% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $14,276 | $14,276 | 5.87% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $14,302 | $14,302 | 0.18% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $14,920 | $14,920 | 4.32% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $15,368 | $15,368 | 3.00% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $15,552 | $15,557 | 1.20% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $16,240 | $16,240 | 4.42% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $17,144 | $17,144 | 5.57% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $17,728 | $17,728 | 3.41% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between James Madison University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| James Madison University | $31,312
($13,966) | $30,790
($13,576) | 1.70% |
|---|
|
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | $24,152
($7,277) | $22,985
($7,317) | 5.08% |
|---|
|
| Towson University | $29,820
($11,728) | $28,326
($11,306) | 5.27% |
|---|
|
| William & Mary | $51,038
($25,734) | $49,412
($25,041) | 3.29% |
|---|
|
| College of Charleston | $38,296
($12,978) | $36,858
($12,978) | 3.90% |
|---|
|
| Hofstra University | $57,660
($43,960) | $55,450
($43,960) | 3.99% |
|---|
|