Exploring James Madison University's Student Population

James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, founded in 1908. The university has expanded significantly since its inception, and its total student enrollment reflects this growth. As of Fall 2023, JMU had a total undergraduate enrollment of over 21,000 students, with a gender distribution of approximately 43% male and 57% female students. The university offers a range of academic programs and has a campus size of 721 acres.

Total undergraduate enrollment: 21,008 (Fall 2023)

James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, founded in 1908. The total undergraduate enrollment at JMU for the Fall 2023 semester was 21,008 students, comprising 43.3% male and 56.6% female students. This large undergraduate population reflects the university's expansion since its early years as a women's college and teacher's training institution.

JMU's undergraduate enrollment figure of 21,008 for Fall 2023 is just one aspect of the university's overall student population. The university also has graduate students, with a total graduate enrollment of 1,752 for the same period. Additionally, JMU accommodates students from different parts of the United States, with an in-state/out-of-state ratio of 78/22%. The student body also includes international students, accounting for 1% of the total student population.

The university's current undergraduate enrollment of 21,008 is a significant increase from its early years. Founded as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, JMU first opened its doors to students in 1909 with an enrollment of 209. Over time, the university expanded its programs, changed its name, and began admitting male students. The growth in enrollment is also reflected in the expansion of the campus facilities, with the addition of new buildings and the acquisition of nearby properties.

The large undergraduate enrollment at JMU contributes to a vibrant campus life. The university offers a wide range of housing options, with 32% of students living in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 68% reside off-campus. JMU also boasts a diverse array of clubs and organizations, with over 400 options for students to get involved in, ensuring that the undergraduate population of 21,008 has numerous opportunities for extracurricular engagement.

Total graduate enrollment: 1,752 (Fall 2023)

James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has a total graduate student enrollment of 1,752 students for the Fall 2023 semester. This is a slight decrease from the 2012-13 academic year, when the university had 1,820 graduate students enrolled.

JMU was founded in 1908 and has grown and expanded significantly since then. It was originally established as a women's college, with an initial enrollment of 209 students. In 1946, men were first enrolled as regular day students, and the university became coeducational in 1966.

Today, JMU offers a wide range of academic programs and has a large student body. For the Fall 2023 semester, the university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,006 to 21,008 students, bringing the total student population to over 22,700. The university offers a variety of housing options, with 32% of students living in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, and 68% living off-campus.

JMU is a comprehensive university with a rich history and a diverse range of academic programs. It is classified as a "Doctoral University – High Research Activity" institution and offers degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral levels. The university comprises seven colleges and 78 academic programs, providing a wide range of educational opportunities for its students.

Gender distribution: 43.3% male, 56.6% female

James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,008 as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 43.3% male students and 56.6% female students. This means that out of the 21,008 undergraduate students, there are approximately 9,076 male students and 11,932 female students. This distribution shows a higher proportion of female students, with a difference of about 13 percentage points.

The university has a long history, founded in 1908 as a women's college known as The State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. It was renamed the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg in 1914, and it became a coeducational institution in 1966, admitting both men and women. The current gender distribution at JMU reflects a higher enrollment of female students, which may be influenced by its historical roots as a women's college.

The gender distribution at JMU is similar to the distribution within its colleges and schools. For example, the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, one of the seven colleges at JMU, had a fall 2022 enrollment of 4,033 students, with a gender distribution of 10% male and 90% female. This distribution is more skewed towards female students compared to the overall university distribution.

The gender distribution at JMU also varies across different degree levels. As of Fall 2023, the university had a total graduate enrollment of 1,752 students, but the gender distribution for graduate programs is not specified. However, it is known that JMU offers a range of graduate programs, including master's, educational specialist, and doctoral levels, and the distribution may differ across these levels.

In conclusion, the gender distribution at James Madison University, with 43.3% male and 56.6% female students, reflects a higher enrollment of female students. This distribution is generally consistent across the university's colleges and schools, with some variations in specific programs. The university's history as a women's college may have contributed to the higher proportion of female students, and the distribution may further evolve as JMU continues to expand and diversify its academic offerings.

Student housing: 32% on-campus, 68% off-campus

James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, offers a variety of housing options for its students. As of Fall 2023, the university had a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,008 students, with 32% living in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, and 68% living off-campus.

On-campus housing at JMU includes residence halls, apartments for married students, and special housing for international students. The university prioritises on-campus housing for incoming freshmen, with all first-year students required to live on campus. This contributes to the relatively high percentage of on-campus residents compared to other institutions.

JMU's residence life is vibrant and diverse, with over 400 clubs and organisations catering to a range of interests. The university also has a strong Greek life presence, with ten front-end budgeted groups, including the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic. Ten of JMU's 35 residence halls serve as sorority houses, fostering a close-knit and engaged community.

For those who choose to live off-campus, JMU offers resources to support their transition. The off-campus population makes up the majority of upperclassmen and graduate students, who often have different housing preferences and requirements. This may include a desire for more independence, additional space, or a change of environment.

The surrounding area of Harrisonburg offers a range of housing options, from apartments to rental homes. Students living off-campus can still engage with the JMU community through clubs, organisations, and other on-campus activities, fostering a sense of inclusion regardless of their housing choice.

Overall, the housing options at JMU reflect the university's commitment to providing a well-rounded and engaging student experience, both on and off-campus, ensuring that students have access to the resources and community they need to thrive during their time at the university.

Student-faculty ratio: 17:1

James Madison University (JMU) has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. This means that for every 17 students, there is one faculty member. With a total of 22,760 students enrolled in the university in Fall 2023, there were 1,046 full-time instructional faculty members and 359 part-time instructional faculty members. The average class size at JMU is 25 students, with 89% of classes having fewer than 50 students and 98% of classes being taught by professors.

The university was founded in 1908 and has grown significantly since then. It was originally established as a women's college with an initial enrollment of 209 students and a faculty of 15. Over time, the university expanded its enrollment, faculty, and campus size. By 2012, the total enrollment had reached 19,927 students, including 18,392 undergraduates and 1,820 graduate students. The university offers a range of academic programs, including bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees, with a total of 139 degree programs across various colleges and academic areas.

JMU is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and its campus size is 721 acres. The university utilizes a semester-based academic calendar and offers various housing options for its students, with a mix of on-campus and off-campus housing. It has a gender distribution of 43.3% male students and 56.7% female students, and it is actively involved in sports, being part of the NCAA I.

With its low student-faculty ratio, JMU ensures that students receive personalized attention and support in their academic pursuits. The university's commitment to providing a quality education is reflected in its investment in expanding its faculty and campus resources to accommodate the growing student population.

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