Study abroad at Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg is the vibrant, scenic college town and cultural center of Virginia's historic Shenandoah Valley (known as 'The Friendly City' and Virginia's First Culinary District), nestled between the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains, located 120 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Celebrated for its historic Court Square, mountain outdoor recreation (Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, George Washington National Forest), and exceptionally high student satisfaction ratings. Harrisonburg is the flagship home of James Madison University (JMU - founded in 1908, ranked #1 Most Recommended Public University in the Nation by The Wall Street Journal and consistently ranked in the Top 3 Regional Public Universities in the South by US News & World Report with over 22,000 students and an iconic 785-acre bluestone campus). JMU is internationally celebrated for the College of Business (AACSB-accredited, top-ranked for Quantitative Finance, Accounting, and Computer Information Systems), College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE - ABET-accredited Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity), College of Health and Behavioral Studies (top-rated Nursing, Health Sciences, and Physician Assistant studies), and School of Media Arts & Design (SMAD), alongside Eastern Mennonite University (EMU - renowned for its Center for Justice & Peacebuilding). Degrees are taught 100% in English with prestigious US accreditations. International students benefit from JMU's exceptional 96% career placement rate, generous International Student Merit Scholarships, safe welcoming community, and direct US F-1 / I-20 Student Visa support with 3-year STEM OPT work extensions.

Tuition fees in Harrisonburg for international undergraduate students at James Madison University (JMU) range between $26,500 and $29,800 per academic year for Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, and Nursing (with JMU offering competitive international merit-based scholarships such as the Madison International Scholarship awarding $4,000 to $10,000/year to qualified students, bringing net tuition down to approx. $17,500–$21,500/year). Postgraduate Master's degrees range from $16,000 to $24,000 per year. On-campus university residence halls (JMU Bluestone The Quad, Skyline Halls, Village, Chesapeake Hall) cost between $700 and $1,200 per month (inclusive of award-winning JMU dining plans and utilities), while off-campus student apartments in Harrisonburg, Port Republic Road, and Devon Lane range from $500 to $850 per month. General monthly living expenses range between $750 and $1,250.

International students require a US F-1 Student Visa. Upon academic admission and verification of financial documentation (bank statement certifying first-year tuition and living expenses minus scholarship awards), the Center for Global Engagement (JMU CGE) issues the official Form I-20. The student pays the SEVIS I-901 fee, completes the DS-160 online visa application, and attends the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. STEM graduates qualify for a 24-month OPT extension (total 36 months of US employment authorization).