Score target

What is a good SAT score for James Madison University?

Federal data, not an estimate: the middle 50% of James Madison University's enrolled students and what to do with it.

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In short

The middle 50% of enrolled students at James Madison University scored 1170–1340 on the SAT — Reading and Writing 600–680, Math 570–660 — per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. A score at or above 1340 clears the band entirely; inside it, the upper half is the safer target. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants, so the score is one input among several, not a cutoff.

The band, and how to read it

Middle 50% of enrolled students at James Madison University (College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-09-01).
25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total11701340
Reading and Writing600680
Math570660

A middle 50% means a quarter of enrolled students scored below 1170 and a quarter scored above 1340. It is a description of who enrolled, not an admission rule — people are admitted from below the band every cycle, and rejected from above it.

Enrolled, not admitted

Federal data reports the students who enrolled. Admitted-student bands run slightly higher at most schools, because some of the strongest admits enrol elsewhere. Treat the band as a floor for planning, not a ceiling.

Setting a target inside the band

  • At or above 1340: the score stops being a question anywhere in the application. Further points are worth less than time spent on everything else.
  • 1255–1340 (upper half): competitive. This is the practical target for most applicants.
  • 1170–1255 (lower half): in range, and the rest of the application carries more of the weight.
  • Below 1170: a quarter of the enrolled class is here too — but if a retake is realistic, this is where it pays most.

Context: James Madison University by the numbers

MeasureValue
Admission rateabout 72%
Enrolled undergraduatesabout 21k
LocationHarrisonburg, VA

How to close a gap to the band

Work by section, not by mixed test. If Math is the weaker section, the Math domain pages split it into the skills the test actually samples; same for Reading and Writing. The method is set out in how to improve your SAT Math score and Reading and Writing.

Practise toward the James Madison University band

Free SAT practice with an explanation on every question, and a score estimate that tracks your distance to a target.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do I need for James Madison University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 1170–1340. A score in the upper half of that band is competitive, and 1340+ clears it entirely. There is no published cutoff.

Can I get into James Madison University with a score below 1170?

A quarter of enrolled students did. Below the 25th percentile the rest of the application has to carry more weight, and a retake pays off most in this position.

Is 1340 a good SAT score for James Madison University?

Yes — 1340 is the 75th percentile of enrolled students, so it is above three quarters of the class. Past that point, more points buy little.

Where do these numbers come from?

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (IPEDS), retrieved 2026-09-01. The page links the school's federal profile below — check it before deciding anything.

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Sources