Harrisonburg, VA · Private University
Is James Madison University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,954
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,576
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,790
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$123,160
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.27x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,093
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,816
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
James Madison University graduates earn $24,954 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at James Madison University ranked by graduate earnings
164 graduates
87 graduates
134 graduates
55 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at James Madison University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At James Madison University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Information Science/Studies: $97,364) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $26,202) is $71,162/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science/StudiesBest ROI | $97,364 | 3.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $96,181 | 3.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $94,451 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $86,390 | 2.8x |
| Systems Science and Theory | $82,147 | 2.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,138 | 2.6x |
| Engineering, General | $77,261 | 2.5x |
| Mathematics | $74,140 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $72,730 | 2.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,473 | 2.3x |
| Science, Technology and Society | $70,403 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,297 | 2.2x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $63,346 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,141 | 1.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $57,370 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,819 | 1.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $56,742 | 1.8x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $56,488 | 1.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $55,946 | 1.8x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $55,800 | 1.8x |
| Geography and Cartography | $55,054 | 1.8x |
| Public Administration | $54,888 | 1.8x |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $53,638 | 1.7x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $53,227 | 1.7x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $52,582 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $50,895 | 1.6x |
| History | $48,338 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $48,309 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,945 | 1.6x |
| Anthropology | $47,827 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $47,038 | 1.5x |
| Music | $46,899 | 1.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,503 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,476 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $45,799 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $45,341 | 1.5x |
| Biotechnology(1yr data) | $41,832 | 1.4x |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other(1yr data) | $28,712 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $26,202 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
James Madison University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $69,954 10 years after starting — $24,954 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.