James Madison University
James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, offering 70+ undergraduate majors and 130+ programs across on-campus, online, and study abroad channels, serving Virginia residents, out-of-state students, and graduate learners with diversified funding from tuition, state appropriations, and federal grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1908
- HeadquartersHarrisonburg, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What James Madison University does
James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, founded in 1908 and operating under the governance of the Commonwealth of Virginia with a Board of Visitors. The institution serves a broad student base through 70+ undergraduate majors and 130+ programs spanning engineering, nursing, intelligence analysis, liberal arts, and continuing education, with delivery channels including on-campus instruction, online programs via Professional & Continuing Education, study abroad across 10+ destinations, and graduate programs. JMU's revenue model is diversified across six primary streams: tuition and fees (in-state and out-of-state, undergraduate and graduate), state appropriations from the Commonwealth of Virginia, federal grants (e.g., $2.1M+ from the U.S. Department of Education for civics education, $6M+ in CARES Act emergency aid), research grants (e.g., NSF-funded Bridge2AI), athletic revenue through JMU Sports competing in the Sun Belt Conference, and alumni giving and corporate donations. The university holds an AA- issuer default rating from Fitch Ratings with a stable outlook, reflecting strong financial position and adequate liquidity.
JMU's core technology stack relies on Instructure's Canvas learning management system for course delivery and assessment, with proprietary features centered on integration and interoperability rather than in-house platform development. The university offers a portfolio of educational products including higher education academic programs, online learning, undergraduate research opportunities, and study abroad. Recent strategic positioning emphasizes civic engagement leadership through the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement and a $2.1M+ federal American History and Civics Seminars Program grant, AI workforce development through the Bridge2AI partnership with CGI, and athletics brand elevation following a 12-2 season with the program's first College Football Playoff appearance and Sun Belt Championship. The institution maintains multi-stakeholder partnerships including local school districts, James Madison's Montpelier, international academic collaborators (USIU-Africa, University of Pretoria), and community organizations (Staunton Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank).
James Madison University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- James Madison University
- Legal name
- James Madison University
- Website
- https://jmu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1908
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, offering 70+ undergraduate majors and 130+ programs across on-campus, online, and study abroad channels, serving Virginia residents, out-of-state students, and graduate learners with diversified funding from tuition, state appropriations, and federal grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
James Madison University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
Keywords
Where James Madison University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Harrisonburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
James Madison University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate tuition, along with comprehensive fees
- State Funding: Public university funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Federal Grants: Federal grant funding from agencies including U.S. Department of Education ($2.1M+ for civics education, $100k+ for study abroad)
- Research Grants: NSF-funded programs such as Bridge2AI with CGI partnership
- Athletic Revenue: Revenue from JMU Sports athletics programs including football, basketball, lacrosse, and other sports
- Alumni Giving and Donations: Charitable contributions from alumni and donors, including corporate partnerships like SOSS Bros
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | In-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Out-of-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate tuition rates |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
James Madison University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
James Madison University is a public university that delivers higher education services through undergraduate and graduate academic programs across 70+ majors and 130+ programs. Core offerings include on-campus and online degree programs, undergraduate research opportunities, study abroad programs across 10+ destinations, and Professional & Continuing Education courses. The university also fields competitive NCAA athletics (JMU Dukes) within the Sun Belt Conference and operates civic engagement initiatives including the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement.
Product overview
James Madison University is a public higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The university provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 70+ majors and 130+ programs, including online/distance learning options, undergraduate research opportunities, and study abroad programs across 10 destinations. JMU also offers professional and continuing education, honors college programs, and career planning services. The university's academic offerings span disciplines including engineering, nursing, intelligence analysis, and liberal arts, with recent initiatives in AI career pathways through partnerships with organizations like CGI and the NSF-funded Bridge2AI program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Higher Education Academic Programs JMU's core academic portfolio offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 70+ majors and 130+ programs, including research opportunities, study abroad, and professional continuing education. Targeted at prospective and current college students.
- Online Programs JMU's online learning platform delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs remotely for distance learners and adult students who cannot attend on-campus.
- Undergraduate Research Research programs and opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in faculty-led research projects across various disciplines. Targeted at JMU undergraduate students seeking hands-on research experience.
- Study Abroad Programs Study abroad opportunities across 10 destinations worldwide for JMU students, with grant funding available for Pell Grant-eligible students through the SCHEV Pell Initiative for Virginia Program.
Quantifiable outcome
- 12-2 football season with first Sun Belt Championship and College Football Playoff berth
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use James Madison University
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
James Madison University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
James Madison University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CGIcoreJMU and CGI partnered to launch the NSF-funded Bridge2AI program aimed at creating AI career pathways for rural communities, starting with nine fellows from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. This represents a targeted effort to expand access to technology careers in underserved rural areas.
- United States International University-AfricaminorJMU co-hosted the Accountability in African Public Policy and Administration conference (AAPPACon'26) with USIU-Africa and University of Pretoria. The 2025 conference at JMU featured participants from 15 African countries, Europe, Canada, and the United States.
- University of PretoriaminorJMU co-hosted AAPPACon'26 with the Centre for Governance Innovation at University of Pretoria, continuing the partnership for annual African public policy conferences.
- Staunton Redevelopment and Housing AuthorityminorJMU partners with the housing authority to support residents through educational, food security, and financial stability programs including free tutoring services and emergency food assistance.
- Staunton City SchoolsminorPartnership to provide educational support services including free tutoring at Farrier Court apartments for housing authority residents.
- Blue Ridge Area Food BankminorPartnership providing emergency food assistance at Elizabeth Miller Gardens as part of holistic resident support.
- Blue Ridge Legal ServicesminorPartnership offering financial literacy workshops for families supported by the Staunton housing authority.
- Atlantic Union BankminorPartnership supporting financial stability programs for residents at Staunton Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
- SOSS BrosminorSOSS Bros, a condiment brand, debuted its 'Playoff SOSS' activation at JMU's 41st Annual Duke Club Golf Classic, introducing co-branded products to JMU alumni, student-athletes, and coaches as part of university partnership expansion strategy.
- Local School DistrictscoreJMU partners with local school districts as part of the $2.1M federal civics education grant to deliver professional development, deliberative dialogue materials, and America 250 Student Civic Fellows program.
- National Issues Forums InstitutecorePartner in delivering civics education seminars and professional development as part of the American History and Civics Seminars Program.
- James Madison's MontpeliercorePartnership with Montpelier to deliver constitutional study programs and civic education as part of the federal civics education grant.
- Instructure (Canvas)coreCanvas LMS provider used by JMU for course delivery. Instructure experienced a security breach in May 2026 causing global outage, requiring JMU to reschedule final exams.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
James Madison University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- George Mason University: Virginia public research university with strong growth trajectory, online programs, and NCAA Division I athletics. Direct peer to JMU in size, public university status, and competition for Northern Virginia and statewide students.
- College of William & Mary: Virginia's second-oldest public university with strong liberal arts focus and CAA/now FBS athletics. Comparable to JMU as a Virginia public university with similar size range and competition for high-achieving in-state students.
- Liberty University: Large Virginia-based private university with prominent NCAA Division I athletics and a substantial online program operation. Comparable to JMU in geographic market, online program scale, and athletic brand visibility despite differing ownership structure.
- Virginia Commonwealth University: Virginia public research university with comprehensive graduate programs and NCAA Division I athletics in the Atlantic 10/now elsewhere. Closely comparable to JMU in scale, public university mission, and competition for Virginia-resident students.
- Radford University: Virginia public university with similar enrollment scale and academic mix, located in the same Shenandoah Valley region. Direct peer to JMU in size, mission, and competition for Virginia-resident undergraduates.
- Old Dominion University: Virginia public research university with NCAA Division I athletics and substantial online program offerings. Direct peer to JMU in scale, state institution status, and competition for Virginia-resident and out-of-state online learners.
- Christopher Newport University: Virginia public liberal arts university with NCAA Division III athletics. Comparable to JMU in size range, Virginia public status, and competition for in-state undergraduates seeking traditional campus experiences.
Broad incumbents
- Virginia Tech: Virginia's flagship public research university with extensive multi-campus footprint, large engineering and agricultural programs, and NCAA Division I athletics. Directly comparable to JMU as a Virginia public university competing for in-state students, faculty, and state appropriations.
- University of Virginia: Virginia's premier public research university with comprehensive graduate and professional schools, large endowment, and ACC athletics. Comparable to JMU as a Virginia public university with overlapping applicant pool and similar state-funding dynamics, though at significantly greater scale.
Others
- James Madison University — Online Programs: Listed for reference — JMU's own online program division competes against online program managers (e.g., Noodle, Academic Partnerships, 2U) and other universities' online offerings for distance learners seeking JMU's brand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
James Madison University social profiles
Digital presenceJames Madison University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
James Madison University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
James Madison University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
James Madison University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about James Madison University
What does James Madison University do?
James Madison University is a public university that delivers higher education services through undergraduate and graduate academic programs across 70+ majors and 130+ programs. Core offerings include on-campus and online degree programs, undergraduate research opportunities, study abroad programs across 10+ destinations, and Professional & Continuing Education courses. The university also fields competitive NCAA athletics (JMU Dukes) within the Sun Belt Conference and operates civic engagement initiatives including the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement.
Is James Madison University a public or private company?
James Madison University is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was James Madison University founded?
James Madison University was founded in 1908. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is James Madison University based?
James Madison University is headquartered in Harrisonburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does James Madison University make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are state Funding, federal Grants, research Grants, athletic Revenue and alumni Giving and Donations.
Who are James Madison University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are George Mason University, College of William & Mary, Liberty University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Radford University, Old Dominion University and Christopher Newport University. Broad incumbents are Virginia Tech and University of Virginia. James Madison University — Online Programs is listed as an others.
Does James Madison University have an API?
No public API is recorded for James Madison University.
What industry is James Madison University in?
James Madison University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAF, Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAAAG, Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.